NASA Contracts Katalyst Space Technologies for Swift Observatory Orbit Boost

In a significant move to extend the operational life of a key astronomical observatory, NASA has awarded a $30 million contract to Katalyst Space Technologies, a Flagstaff, Arizona-based startup. The mission involves boosting the orbit of the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, which has been instrumental in studying gamma-ray bursts and other high-energy cosmic events since its launch in 2004.

The Swift Observatory, originally placed in low Earth orbit, has experienced accelerated orbital decay due to increased solar activity, leading to a heightened risk of uncontrolled reentry by late 2026. To address this, Katalyst plans to launch a robotic servicing spacecraft in spring 2026 to rendezvous with Swift, dock with the satellite, and raise its orbit, thereby extending its scientific mission.

This mission represents the first attempt by a commercial entity to dock with and service a government satellite not originally designed for such operations. The success of this endeavor could revolutionize satellite maintenance, offering a cost-effective alternative to replacing aging space assets.

"This industry collaboration to boost Swift’s orbit is just one of many ways NASA works for the nation every day," said Nicky Fox, associate administrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate. "By moving quickly to pursue innovative commercial solutions, we’re further developing the space industry and strengthening American space leadership."

Katalyst's approach involves using a custom-built robotic capture mechanism to attach to Swift's main structure without damaging its sensitive instruments. This operation is particularly challenging because Swift was not originally designed for in-orbit servicing, lacking standard docking ports or grappling fixtures.

"Given how quickly Swift's orbit is decaying, we are in a race against the clock, but by leveraging commercial technologies that are already in development, we are meeting this challenge head-on," said Shawn Domagal-Goldman, acting director of NASA's Astrophysics Division. "This is a forward-leaning, risk-tolerant approach for NASA. But attempting an orbit boost is both more affordable than replacing Swift's capabilities with a new mission, and beneficial to the nation — expanding the use of satellite servicing to a new and broader class of spacecraft."

The mission also has significant implications for national security. The ability to perform in-orbit servicing has strategic advantages, and the Pentagon is reportedly monitoring the mission closely. Katalyst envisions future collaborations with U.S. Space Command, highlighting the dual-use potential of their technologies for both scientific and defense applications.

While in-orbit servicing has been performed before, notably with the Hubble Space Telescope, those missions involved human astronauts and spacecraft designed with servicing in mind. The Swift Observatory mission is unprecedented in that it involves a robotic spacecraft servicing a satellite not originally designed for such operations, marking a significant advancement in autonomous space operations.

The $30 million contract underscores NASA's commitment to collaborating with private industry to develop innovative solutions for space exploration challenges. This partnership could pave the way for future collaborations, fostering growth in the commercial space sector.

As the mission progresses, it will serve as a critical test case for the viability of commercial in-orbit servicing, potentially setting a new standard for satellite maintenance and extending the life of valuable space assets.