Robot boost for Swift

NASA says Katalyst’s LINK robotic servicing spacecraft will launch on Northrop Grumman’s Pegasus XL in June, rendezvous with the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, and raise its altitude to extend the telescope’s science mission.

1. Frame 1NASA puts Swift on the boost list.
2. Frame 2Pegasus XL carries LINK toward a June launch.
3. Frame 3LINK has to rendezvous with the aging telescope.
4. Frame 4A clean boost could raise Swift’s orbit.
5. Frame 5That buys more time for gamma-ray burst alerts.
6. Frame 6First the mission still has to fly and catch its target.