About a month ago a spacecraft was launched on a high‑risk mission to boost the orbit of the NASA astrophysics satellite Swift.
Recent telemetry shows the vehicle is struggling with its attitude control system, exhibiting unexpected torques and sensor readings that indicate a loss of stable orientation.
Precise pointing is essential for the reboost burns; any deviation could reduce the effectiveness of the orbit‑raising maneuvers or put the entire mission at risk.
Mission managers are evaluating the data and considering corrective actions such as software patches or backup actuators. Until the issue is resolved, the outcome of the reboost effort remains uncertain.