What is the LINK mission?

LINK is a NASA robotic servicing mission designed to attach a propulsion module to the Swift Observatory to raise its orbit and prevent reentry.

Why does Swift need a rescue mission?

Swift's orbit has been decaying since its launch in 2004, and without intervention, it would eventually burn up in Earth's atmosphere.

What has Swift discovered?

Swift has been instrumental in studying gamma-ray bursts, cosmic explosions, and other high-energy astrophysical phenomena.

NASA's Swift Rescue Mission Passes Environmental Tests

NASA's bid to rescue the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory from a fiery reentry has cleared a key milestone. The agency announced on May 12, 2026, that environmental tests for the LINK robotic servicing mission were successfully completed at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.

The tests evaluated how the spacecraft would withstand the extreme conditions of launch and space operations. The LINK mission aims to attach a propulsion module to Swift, allowing it to raise its orbit and avoid burning up in Earth's atmosphere.

Swift, launched in 2004, has been crucial for studying gamma-ray bursts and other cosmic phenomena. Its orbit has been decaying, prompting NASA to develop a robotic servicing mission to extend its operational life.

No further details on the next steps or timeline were provided by NASA as of this report.