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Swift Boost Mission Raises Orbit, Saves $30 Million

6/29/2026

30 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The Swift Boost mission will be a commercial robotic capture of a U.S. government satellite not built for on-orbit servicing.
NASA and Katalyst Space will launch the LINK spacecraft with ion engines and robotic arms on June 30, 2026 from Kwajalein Atoll to raise Swift’s orbit.
Because Swift’s altitude fell below 224 miles and may drop under 185 miles in October, the boost could extend operations for years and avoid $30 million replacement.

History

Historical Context

In 1993 NASA’s Space Shuttle Discovery spent eleven days on STS-61 to install COSTAR and correct Hubble’s optics, showing on-orbit repair could extend a major telescope. After the Columbia-era pause, that success paved the way for the 2026 Swift Boost partnership between NASA and Katalyst Space, which will capture Swift with robotic arms to raise its orbit.

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Story summary

The Swift Boost mission will be a commercial robotic capture of a U.S. government satellite not built for on-orbit servicing.
NASA and Katalyst Space will launch the LINK spacecraft with ion engines and robotic arms on June 30, 2026 from Kwajalein Atoll to raise Swift’s orbit.
Because Swift’s altitude fell below 224 miles and may drop under 185 miles in October, the boost could extend operations for years and avoid $30 million replacement.

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