{"id":434526,"date":"2026-05-22T07:36:15","date_gmt":"2026-05-21T21:36:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?guid=73f703b7c0f21a189a03d1b27709e115"},"modified":"2026-05-22T07:36:15","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T21:36:15","slug":"nasa-to-showcase-mission-to-boost-swift-spacecrafts-orbit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=434526","title":{"rendered":"NASA to Showcase Mission to Boost Swift Spacecraft\u2019s Orbit"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Engineers from Katalyst stabilize their LINK robotic servicing spacecraft during environmental testing at NASA\u2019s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. The LINK spacecraft will be encapsulated in Northrop Grumman\u2019s Pegasus XL rocket, for launch in late June on a mission to boost the orbit of NASA\u2019s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory.<\/div>\n
Credit: NASA\/Scott Wiessinger<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Media are invited to NASA\u2019s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia on Wednesday, June 17, to view Northrop Grumman\u2019s Pegasus XL rocket, carrying a Katalyst robotic spacecraft that will attempt to boost the orbit of NASA\u2019s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory.<\/p>\n

Katalyst\u2019s robotic servicing spacecraft, called LINK, will launch on Pegasus in June to rendezvous with Swift and raise its altitude, extending its science mission lifespan.<\/p>\n

Both United States and international media may apply for onsite credentials to view the Pegasus and the L-1011 Stargazer aircraft that will deploy the rocket at launch. In addition to interview opportunities on site, media also will receive images and video of LINK, as the spacecraft already will be encapsulated in the rocket.<\/p>\n

NASA and Katalyst also will host an audio-only media teleconference on June 17 to preview the mission to boost Swift\u2019s orbit. Audio of the media teleconference will stream live on NASA\u2019s YouTube<\/a> channel. Information about timing and teleconference participants will be shared closer to the event.<\/p>\n

The application deadline for U.S. citizens to attend in person is 4 p.m. EDT, Wednesday, June 10. International media without U.S. citizenship must apply by 3 p.m. EDT, Wednesday, May 27. NASA\u2019s media accreditation policy<\/a> is available online.<\/p>\n

Media requesting to participate in person or join the media call must send their accreditation requests to Amy Barra at: amy.l.barra@nasa.gov<\/a>, with the following information:<\/p>\n