LOS ANGELES, July 29 (Xinhua) -- NASA said the spacecraft launched earlier this month to raise the orbit of the agency's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory has experienced technical issues.
The robotic servicing spacecraft, codenamed LINK and built by Katalyst Space, was launched into orbit on July 3, to approach, capture and boost Swift Observatory to a higher orbit, extending the satellite's operational life, NASA said Tuesday.
Over the weekend, LINK experienced attitude control issues, causing the spacecraft to spin and resulting in intermittent communications, according to NASA.
A preliminary investigation found that two of LINK's three reaction wheels are currently inoperable, while its cold-gas thruster system has also suffered a partial loss of functionality.
NASA said LINK's other major subsystems are functioning as expected. The spacecraft remains power-positive and in communication with the Katalyst team.
Over the next few days, the team plans to use LINK's electric propulsion thrusters to stop the spacecraft's spin. After reestablishing a stable attitude and further assessing the spacecraft's condition, Katalyst plans to update LINK's guidance, navigation and control system to accommodate its new configuration, NASA said.
After that, the team will evaluate revised plans to approach the Swift Observatory, based on the spacecraft's condition and the safety of the rendezvous.
Launched in 2004, the Swift Observatory studies gamma-ray bursts, the most powerful explosions in the universe, as well as other high-energy cosmic phenomena.
According to NASA, Earth's atmosphere creates drag on spacecraft in low Earth orbit, gradually lowering their altitude if they lack propulsion systems to maintain their orbits. Increased solar activity in recent years has accelerated the orbital decay of the Swift Observatory, causing it to lose altitude faster than expected. ■