Pegasus XL Rocket Shot into Space to Save Swift Observatory From Falling Back to Earth * The Gateway Pundit * by Paul Serran
Swift Observatory – Illustration from NASA/Wiki Commons
Boosting Swift.
Yesterday, after a couple of delays, a Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL rocket sent a private spacecraft to rescue an iconic NASA space telescope that is falling back to Earth.
Congratulations, Katalyst Space and Northrop Grumman, on a successful launch! Now Katalyst’s LINK will undergo several weeks of commissioning before rendezvousing with our Swift observatory to attempt an orbital boost. More here: https://t.co/daQGHGsfoI pic.twitter.com/d1YWOinO1I
— NASA Universe (@NASAUniverse) July 3, 2026
Space.com reported:
“The Swift Boost mission successfully launched the LINK satellite, built by Arizona-based Katalyst Space Technologies. […] LINK will rendezvous with NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory and tow it to a stable orbit, saving it from impending destruction as its trajectory dips farther into the atmosphere.
The Pegasus XL rocket was released from Northrop Grumman’s L-1011 Stargazer jet above the Marshall Islands before igniting its engine and carrying LINK into orbit. The successful launch came after previous attempts were called off due to weather and a software issue affecting the rocket’s navigation system.”
Space Force has cataloged LINK (the Swift reboost spacecraft) in a 362 x 392 km x 20.6 deg orbit, confirming successful launch. TLEs consistent with the launch NOTAM areas pic.twitter.com/jjUsXktt1d
— Jonathan McDowell (@planet4589) July 4, 2026
“After its release from Pegasus’ payload bay and initial systems checkouts, the Katalyst spacecraft will begin its long course to rendezvous with Swift. Before beginning its final approach, LINK will spend two to three weeks performing observations of Swift to assess optimal grapple points on the observatory.
LINK measures about 4.9 feet (1.5 m) tall, and is equipped with three robotic arms that will be used to capture Swift, which stretches about 12.7 feet (3.9 m). Once a grab-point is chosen and Swift secured, LINK will fire a set of gentle ion thrusters that will slowly raise the pair’s orbit over the next several months.”
🚀SPACE NEWS and UPDATES🚀
Katalyst Space robot to launch on mission to save NASA’s Swift space observatory.The NASA Swift space observatory is in danger of falling from space after 22 years, but a rescue mission with the help of a robot is set to launch on June 30. NBC News’… pic.twitter.com/2UqSVzJxnn
— Space Coast Rocket Launches 🚀💫📡🪐 (@SpaceNewsFL) June 29, 2026
The New York Post reported:
“The 1.6-ton (1.4-metric ton) Swift is currently circling 224 miles (360 kilometers) above Earth. Katalyst aims to raise the telescope’s altitude by 150 miles (240 kilometers), back to where it all began.
Link’s thrusters will fire to boost Swift slowly, so there’s no heavy jostling.
Katalyst threw the mission together in just nine months.
NASA insisted on a rush job because the telescope will be too low to recover by the fall.”
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