Katalyst Space's LINK mission, designed to raise the orbit of NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, will not proceed with the planned 'boost' maneuver. The decision was announced jointly by NASA and Katalyst Space due to an ongoing attitude control issue with the commercial spacecraft. Although the primary goal of extending Swift's scientific lifespan through orbital elevation will not be met, the LINK mission will still attempt to conduct rendezvous and proximity operations with the observatory.

The Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, launched in 2004, is a multi-wavelength mission dedicated to studying gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and other high-energy transient phenomena. It has been instrumental in understanding the nature of these extreme cosmic events, as well as in detecting supernovae and characterizing black holes. Extending its mission through an orbital boost would have allowed its valuable observations to continue for an additional period.

While the 'boost' operation has been canceled, the rendezvous and proximity operations that LINK will attempt with Swift are crucial for the development of future in-orbit servicing technologies. These maneuvers, which include controlled approach and maintaining relative position with an active satellite, are fundamental for demonstrating capabilities such as refueling, repairing, or debris removal. Success in these operations could lay the groundwork for more complex servicing missions in the future, regardless of the original orbital elevation objective.