Launch schedule and location
The Pegasus launch is scheduled for Tuesday, June 30, at 6:23 a.m. EDT (10:23 p.m. UTC+12) from the Kwajalein Atoll launch site in the Marshall Islands. The site is operated by United Launch Alliance and utilizes an air‑launch platform.
Mission objective
The primary goal is to raise the orbit of NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, a space‑based telescope that has been operating since 2004. The orbit‑boost will extend the satellite’s operational life by reducing atmospheric drag and improving its observational capabilities.
Technical overview
The Pegasus vehicle, released from a Lockheed Martin C‑130 aircraft, will carry the LINK (Launch Interface for New Kinetic) module. LINK provides a low‑thrust, electric propulsion system that gradually increases the satellite’s altitude over several months, avoiding the need for a high‑energy burn.
Implications for Swift
By moving to a higher orbit, Swift will experience less atmospheric resistance, preserving its X‑ray and gamma‑ray instruments and allowing continued monitoring of gamma‑ray bursts and other high‑energy phenomena.
Future outlook
Following deployment, the LINK module will operate for months to achieve the targeted orbit. NASA intends to analyze the performance data to refine future orbit‑raising strategies for aging spacecraft.