A pioneering NASA mission to extend the life of an aging space telescope has hit a critical snag. A Katalyst Space robot, designed to latch onto the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory and push it to a higher orbit, began tumbling uncontrollably over the weekend after multiple system failures. Flight controllers are now racing to stabilize the spacecraft using backup systems before deciding whether the mission can proceed. Main Developments The LINK spacecraft, built by Katalyst Space and launched July 3 on a Northrop Grumman Pegasus rocket, began spinning out of control over the weekend. The tumbling has caused sporadic communications with the satellite, likely because its antenna periodically points away from Earth, according to NASA. Read also: 3 reasons robotaxi operators face new federal safety scrutiny Two of the three reaction wheels responsible for controlling the spacecraft’s orientation have failed. Additionally, one of the thruster systems is malfunctioning. Flight controllers are now attempting to slow the spin using a separate set of thrusters, reporting that “we have already begun this series of burns and are seeing the intended effect.” Katalyst Space told TechCrunch that “this remains an active mission, and we continue to move forward with plans to rendezvous with Swift.” NASA will decide whether the mission can continue after the stabilization effort is complete. Background This is the first time NASA has hired a private company to lift one of its space telescopes to a higher orbit, a service that could allow aging observatories to keep operating beyond their expected lifespans. The Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, launched in 2004, was built to rapidly point at short-lived cosmic events like gamma ray bursts. Over time, its orbit has decayed, pulling it back toward Earth, and it now needs a boost to continue functioning. Katalyst Space principal investigator Kieran Wilson told reporters before the mission that the spacecraft was built “incredibly quickly” due to the urgent need to raise Swift within the next few months. He acknowledged the risks: “All this is challenging and risky. There are a lot of spacecraft that have had far longer development cycles with far more funding behind them that have failed for mundane reasons.” The company raised a $12 million round in June, backed by Fortitude Ventures and Geodesic Capital, to support the mission. Katalyst has also secured funding from the U.S. military, which sees potential in a dynamic vehicle capable of servicing satellites or surveilling rival spacecraft. Why It Matters The success or failure of this mission will test the viability of using privately built robots to service and extend the life of valuable government spacecraft. If Katalyst can stabilize LINK and eventually lift Swift, it could open the door to a new commercial market for orbital maintenance. Conversely, a failure could dampen enthusiasm for such partnerships, especially given the tight timeline and the high stakes of rescuing a scientifically important telescope. For NASA, this mission represents a shift toward commercial services for routine orbital operations, reducing the agency’s direct involvement in spacecraft upkeep. The outcome could influence future contracts and the pace at which private companies are trusted with critical national assets. What's Next Flight controllers will continue attempting to slow the spacecraft’s spin using backup thrusters. Once stabilized, NASA will assess whether the remaining systems are healthy enough to proceed with the rendezvous and docking with Swift. The mission has only a few months to raise the telescope before its orbit decays too far, adding urgency to the recovery efforts. Katalyst Space will need to demonstrate that its spacecraft can regain full control and complete the planned orbit-raising maneuver. If the backup thrusters succeed, the mission may still proceed, but the failure of two reaction wheels and one thruster system will require careful workarounds.