Key facts
- NASA's Swift Observatory is at risk of falling to Earth by October.
- Katalyst launched a robotic mission to rescue the observatory.
- The mission's launch was delayed due to a software glitch.
- The rescue mission is considered high-risk.
A robotic mission launched by space startup Katalyst to rescue NASA's Swift Observatory has been delayed due to a last-minute software issue. The Swift Observatory is losing altitude and faces the risk of burning up in Earth's atmosphere by October if no intervention occurs.
The mission, described as high-risk, was intended to boost the observatory's altitude and extend its operational life. The launch of the Link spacecraft, designed for this rescue, was postponed because of the software glitch.