NASA’s $500 Million Telescope Passes Critical Testing Stage

A NASA mission aims to save a $500 million space observatory called the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory. It risks falling and burning in the atmosphere without help.

On Friday, NASA said the Link spacecraft, made by Katalyst Space Technologies, completed important tests at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland. This testing finished on May 4. Link will now return to Katalyst’s site in Colorado for more tests before launch.

John Van Eepoel from NASA says this mission is fast and risky. If nothing is done, Swift will likely fall this year. Katalyst completed these tests in only eight months. Swift cannot move on its own and has been going down in orbit. It is currently at about 400 km above the Earth and will re-enter the atmosphere in late 2026 without help.

In 2025, NASA gave Katalyst a $30 million contract to build Link. This spacecraft will dock with Swift and help it rise higher in orbit. The launch is set for June.

How much do you know?

What is the budget of the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory?

$500 million

$300 million

$400 million

$600 million

Who made the Link spacecraft?

NASA

Katalyst Space Technologies

Lockheed Martin

Boeing

When did the testing of the Link spacecraft finish?

April 20

May 4

June 10

March 15

What does the Link spacecraft aim to do?

Build a new observatory

Dock with Swift

Monitor Earth

Send data to Mars

In what year did NASA give Katalyst a contract for Link?

2025

2024

2023

2026

What is the launch date set for Link?

May 2026

June 2025

June 2023

July 2024

The Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory is in danger of falling into the ocean.

True False

Katalyst Space Technologies took over a year to complete the tests for the Link spacecraft.

True False

Swift can move on its own.

True False

NASA is launching the Link spacecraft in 2026.

True False

The Swift Observatory is currently at about 400 km above the Earth.

True False

If no action is taken, Swift will fall in late 2026.

True False

The Link spacecraft will dock with Swift and help it rise higher in .

Katalyst completed the tests for the Link spacecraft in only months.

NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center is located in .

Swift is currently at about 400 km above the and risks falling.

NASA gave Katalyst a million contract to build the Link spacecraft.

The launch of Link is set for 2026.

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