A private spacecraft named Link, developed by Katalyst Space Technologies, reentered Earth’s atmosphere on Friday after a mission to rescue the aging Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, a NASA satellite that has studied cosmic events like gamma-ray bursts for over two decades. The mission, part of a $30 million NASA-funded project, aimed to extend the telescope’s operational life by lifting it to a higher orbit. However, despite some success in capturing images of the observatory, the effort ultimately failed. During its 85-day journey in space, Link came as close as 7 to 9 miles (12 to 15 kilometers) to the Swift Observatory, but technical issues, including problems with motion control and communications, prevented it from performing the planned rescue. The spacecraft launched on July 3 from Kwajalein Atoll in the South Pacific but soon faced electronic malfunctions that disabled two of its three reaction wheels—devices that help control a spacecraft’s orientation. A faulty valve caused the satellite to spin uncontrollably, disrupting communication with ground controllers. Although engineers managed to regain control, Link had insufficient fuel to complete its mission, and the rescue effort was officially called off in August. Despite the failure, the team used the remaining time in orbit to test Link’s robotic arms, which are about 3 feet (1 meter) long and equipped with grippers. Flight controllers successfully maneuvered the spacecraft close enough to Swift to take detailed images of its condition. The Swift Observatory, a joint project between NASA and Penn State University launched in 2004, is expected to reenter Earth’s atmosphere in November. Without the altitude boost, it will follow its own descent path in the coming weeks. NASA had earlier suspended observations and repositioned the telescope to reduce atmospheric drag in preparation for the rescue mission. NASA officials acknowledged the risks involved in the mission. "From the beginning, this was a high-risk, high-reward mission," said Shawn Domagal-Goldman, director of NASA’s astrophysics division. While the mission did not achieve its primary goal, it provided valuable experience in satellite servicing technology and demonstrated the ability to operate under tight timelines. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman emphasized that the attempt was still worthwhile, as it advanced critical capabilities for future satellite operations. Katalyst Space Technologies CEO Ghonhee Lee said the company would use the lessons learned from the mission to improve its future satellite-recovery efforts. "This is a foundation we can build on," he said.