NASA and Katalyst Launch Robotic Spacecraft to Rescue $500 Million Aging Satellite on Thursday

According to NASA, the space agency and Arizona-based startup Katalyst launched a robotic spacecraft named LINK on Thursday (July 3) to rescue an aging observation satellite and demonstrate advanced orbital capture technology.

The half-ton spacecraft was designed specifically to rescue the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory satellite, valued at approximately $500 million. LINK will secure the aging satellite and move it to a higher, more stable orbit, potentially extending its operational lifespan by several years.