NASA has selected a partnership between Cambrian Works and Astroscale U.S. to develop a concept of operations and implementation plan for a potential commercial mission to extend the orbit of its Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory.
The 30-day study aims to provide NASA with a viable solution to extend the spacecraft’s mission life, which is currently projected to reenter the atmosphere by late 2026 due to increased solar activity. The partnership combines Cambrian Works’ patent-pending electric Thin Attachment Pad (eTAP) technology with Astroscale’s expertise in on-orbit servicing.
“This collaboration represents a growing strength of the US commercial space servicing sector,” said Ron Lopez, President of Astroscale U.S. “A successful mission would not only extend the Swift Observatory’s mission but also demonstrate US-developed capabilities that can be applied to future government and commercial spacecraft.”
Cambrian Works and Astroscale U.S. will work together to develop a solution for NASA to raise the orbit of the Swift Observatory, potentially extending its lifespan by several years. The partnership is part of NASA’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program, which aims to explore affordable solutions for boosting the observatory’s orbit.
The Swift Observatory has been a cornerstone of NASA’s astrophysics program since 2004 and has made significant contributions to the study of gamma-ray bursts, active galaxies, comets, and asteroids. The partnership will provide NASA with a near-term path to extend its mission while demonstrating US-led commercial servicing capabilities.
Source: https://spacenews.com/cambrian-works-selects-astroscale-u-s-as-its-mission-partner-for-nasa-swift-observatory-boost-mission-concept-study