Katalyst Space’s LINK robot launched in July on a Pegasus XL to push NASA’s 2004 Swift observatory into a higher orbit. Communication dropouts and pointing problems turned the mission into a technology test instead; LINK re-entered on 25 September and Swift is expected to follow by the end of the year. Our take: satellite servicing works on paper and in demos, but it is not routine yet.
- 2004Swift launched
- 07/2026LINK rescue craft launched
- 25.09LINK re-entered
- 2026Swift expected to re-enter