Katalyst Space’s LINK spacecraft continued tests in orbit after attitude-control problems led NASA and the company to scale back a mission intended to raise the Swift observatory’s altitude.
What was demonstrated
NASA’s September 4 update says LINK adjusted its own orbit, deployed all three robotic arms and fired its three electric thrusters together. It approached to roughly 12–15 kilometers from Swift.
What did not happen
These tests did not lift Swift into a higher orbit. NASA says LINK will make no closer approach during its remaining operations. The company’s estimate of another two to three weeks before LINK deorbits is a forecast in that report, not a completed event.
The distinction matters when reading spaceflight news: testing hardware in space, rendezvous, physical capture and an orbital boost are separate accomplishments. Read more about propulsion and orbital missions.
Primary source: NASA report. Source published 2026-09-04; summary checked 2026-09-08.