# NASA ends Swift telescope reboost attempt after LINK control issue

_Thursday, August 20, 2026 at 9:53 AM EDT · Science · Developing · Tier 2 — Notable_

NASA has ended its attempt to reboost the Swift space telescope after an undisclosed attitude-control problem with the Katalyst-built LINK spacecraft prevented the planned rendezvous. LINK reached orbit after its July 3 launch and completed communications and checkout work, the report says. NASA had sought to raise Swift's orbit as solar activity increased atmospheric drag. The report says the telescope now faces uncontrolled reentry, which NASA had assessed as increasingly likely by the end of 2026.

## Sources

- [autoevolution](https://www.autoevolution.com/news/worlds-first-rescue-of-a-falling-space-telescope-fails-swift-to-crash-and-burn-by-the-end-of-2026-274447.html)

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Retrieved: 2026-08-20T16:12:45.673Z
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