Katalyst's LINK hits reaction-wheel failures and a multi-axis spin weeks after launch

Katalyst Space/LINK

LINK, launched on July 3 on a Pegasus XL, spun on several axes for 72 hours with two of its three reaction wheels dead and its small steering thrusters only partly working, causing a temporary loss of contact and a computer reset. Katalyst said it still saw a viable path to reach Swift before the telescope sank below about 300 km, expected in October.

• Two of three reaction wheels non-functional; reaction control thrusters only partly working.
• 72-hour spin, temporary communications loss and bus reset.
• Swift had to be boosted before falling below about 300 km, expected in October 2026.