NASA and Katalyst Space Technologies announced on Wednesday that they are ending a planned robotic mission to rescue the Swift gamma‑ray observatory before it reenters Earth's atmosphere.

The Link satellite, launched on July 3, was designed to capture the observatory with three robotic arms and boost its orbit using xenon‑fueled electric thrusters. A $30 million NASA contract awarded less than a year earlier set a summer deadline for the rescue to occur before Swift’s projected reentry.

Katalyst said ongoing attitude control issues—specifically the loss of two reaction wheels and problems with cold‑gas thrusters—prevented the spacecraft from completing the rescue. The satellite remains operational and may still allow a demonstration of its close‑in navigation system.

Katalyst said it will continue to extract technical and operational value from the spacecraft. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said the mission was worth attempting despite the outcome. The original schedule, compressed to nine months, forced engineers to accept greater technical risk, and the sudden loss of attitude control in late July halted the effort.

The cancellation means Swift will likely reenter the atmosphere without a boost to a safer orbit, though NASA and Katalyst indicated they will assess any remaining objectives.