LINK Spacecraft Launch Aims to Adjust Swift Telescope's Orbit
On June 19 at 10:50 PM, the Stargazer carrier aircraft will deploy the LINK spacecraft to adjust the orbit of the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory. This mission targets boosting the Swift telescope into a more stable orbit, as it has been losing altitude due to atmospheric drag. Without intervention, there is a 50% chance it could make an uncontrolled reentry into Earth's atmosphere by mid-2026.
The LINK spacecraft is designed to rendezvous with Swift and perform the necessary maneuvers. The launch will use a Pegasus XL rocket, mounted beneath the fuselage of a Lockheed L-1011 TriStar aircraft known as Stargazer. Originally built as a passenger airliner in 1974, this plane was converted in 1994 into an airborne launch platform. Stargazer is now the only operational aircraft of its kind in the world.
Mission Process and the Importance of the Swift Telescope
During the mission, Stargazer will carry the rocket to an altitude of 12,000 meters, after which the rocket will free-fall for five seconds before ignition. Over the past 32 years, Stargazer has completed nearly 50 such launches. The Swift telescope, which has been studying gamma-ray bursts since 2004, orbits at an inclination of 20.6 degrees, allowing it to avoid the South Atlantic Anomaly. An air launch is the only feasible way to reach the required orbit within the mission's budget.
The LINK launch is a critical step in keeping the Swift space telescope operational. Swift plays a key role in researching gamma-ray bursts and other astronomical phenomena. As the telescope gradually loses altitude, a successful mission would extend its scientific observations, which is vital for advancing our understanding of the cosmos. This mission also highlights innovative approaches to orbital adjustment and the use of airborne launch platforms, potentially shaping future space programs.