https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-awards-company-to-attempt-swift-spacecraft-orbit-boost/
ЦитироватьDriving rapid innovation in the American space industry, NASA has awarded Katalyst Space Technologies of Flagstaff, Arizona, a contract to raise a spacecraft's orbit. Katalyst's robotic servicing spacecraft will rendezvous with NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory and raise it to a higher altitude, demonstrating a key capability for the future of space exploration and extending the Swift mission's science lifetime.
Спойлер
NASA's Swift launched in 2004 to explore the universe's most powerful explosions, called gamma-ray bursts. The spacecraft's low Earth orbit has been decaying gradually, which happens to satellites over time. However, because of recent increases in the Sun's activity, Swift is experiencing more atmospheric drag than anticipated, speeding up its orbital decay. While NASA could have allowed the observatory to reenter Earth's atmosphere, as many missions do at the end of their lifetimes, Swift's lowering orbit presents an opportunity to advance American spacecraft servicing technology.
The orbit boost is targeted for spring 2026, though NASA will continue to monitor any changes in solar activity that may impact this target timeframe. A successful Swift boost would be the first time a commercial robotic spacecraft captures a government satellite that is uncrewed, or not originally designed to be serviced in space.
NASA has awarded Katalyst $30 million to move forward with implementation under a Phase III award as an existing participant in NASA's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program, managed by the agency's Space Technology Mission Directorate. This approach allowed NASA to pursue an orbit boost for Swift on a shorter development timeline than would otherwise be possible, given the rapid rate at which Swift's orbit is decaying.
NASA заключила контракт с компанией Katalyst Space Technologies на запуск спутника для подъёма орбиты телескопа Swift, запущенного ещё в 2004-м году. Телескоп и так теряет высоту с течением времени, но недавний всплеск солнечной активности привёл к раздутию земной атмосферы, что привело к ещё большему снижению. Пуск спутника-буксира намечен на весну 2026-го года
https://www.katalystspace.com/post/katalyst-selects-northrop-grumman-pegasus-rocket-for-robotic-rescue-mission
ЦитироватьKatalyst Selects Northrop Grumman Pegasus Rocket for Robotic Rescue Mission
ЦитироватьKatalyst Space Technologies has selected Northrop Grumman's Pegasus XL air-launched rocket to deliver its robotic spacecraft to orbit for Katalyst's upcoming NASA Swift Rescue Mission. Katalyst is building a first-of-its-kind orbital servicing spacecraft to boost Swift's orbit before it reenters, with launch scheduled for June 2026. The mission aims to reposition NASA's long-lived Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory into a higher orbit to extend its scientific operations
Компания Katalyst Space Technologies выбрала ракету Pegasus XL в качестве носителя своего аппарата, призванного поднять орбиту космического телескопа Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory в целях продления работы. Пуск намечен на июнь 2026
ЦитироватьSwift's orbit at 20.6° inclination is difficult to reach from U.S. launch sites, where most small rockets are limited by launch site to inclinations above ~27°. Pegasus, carried aloft by Northrop Grumman's L-1011 Stargazer aircraft and released midair at 39,000 feet, offers the flexibility to launch from virtually anywhere on Earth, making it one of the few viable systems capable of achieving Swift's orbit on a highly compressed timeline
Swift обращается на орбите с наклонением в 20.6°, что ограничивает пуски малых ракет с американских стартовых площадок. Тогда как Pegasus, запускаемый с самолёта Northrop Grumman's L-1011 Stargazer, предлагает гибкость в месте и наклонении запусков аппаратов
https://www.katalystspace.com/post/katalyst-develops-design-for-nasa-to-rescue-500m-space-telescope
689a4f1af7213404157ae5a7_SWIFT Mission summary.jpg
https://www.katalystspace.com/post/nasa-telescope-is-about-to-fall-out-of-the-sky
ЦитироватьThe Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, launched in 2004, has spent two decades capturing key data on gamma-ray bursts, the most powerful explosions in the universe. Swift remains fully operational, but orbital decay gives it a 50% chance of uncontrolled reentry by mid-2026, increasing to 90% by the end of 2026
Телескоп Swift, запущенный в 2004-м, остаётся полностью работоспособным, однако из-за торможения существует 50% вероятность неконтролируемого падения в середине, которая к концу года возрастёт до 90 %
ЦитироватьUnlike the Hubble Space Telescope, which was serviced by astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle, Swift was never designed to be captured, much less rescued. There are no docking ports or grappling fixtures to grab onto. Instead, Katalyst's servicer will rely on a custom-built robotic capture mechanism that will attach to a feature on the satellite's main structure--without damaging sensitive instruments. Demonstrating this kind of delicate, do-no-harm servicing on an unprepared satellite would be a first for NASA, and has the potential to unlock a new era of on-orbit servicing where satellites can be routinely and regularly serviced instead of thrown away
В отличие от Hubble Space Telescope, Swift не предусматривал никаких сервисных миссий с возможностью стыковки с дельнейшими обслуживанием и подъёмом орбиты. Поэтому аппарат от Katalyst будет оснащён специальным захватывающим механизмом, который обеспечит контакт с неподготовленным спутником без опасности повредить чувствительные инструменты. Подобная миссия станет первой для NASA и открывает возможности продления жизни подобных спутников на регулярной основе
Цитата: Rocinante от 19.11.2025 19:50:45Katalyst Selects Northrop Grumman Pegasus Rocket for Robotic Rescue Mission
Я думал, что она уже выведена из эксплуатации. Ее лет пять не запускали.
Цитата: Athlon от 19.11.2025 22:12:35Я думал, что она уже выведена из эксплуатации. Ее лет пять не запускали.
Последняя осталась — чего бы не использовать.
Это единственный американский носитель лёгкого класса, способный вывести буксир на наклонение 20 градусов. Не к китайцам же обращаться...
Цитата: Брабонт от 20.11.2025 14:11:39Это единственный американский носитель лёгкого класса, способный вывести буксир на наклонение 20 градусов. Не к китайцам же обращаться...
Дык , зачем к китайцам ... Французы ведь есть . Хотя...
Важно другое. За год SWIFT просел в высоте на 60 км (сейчас 420 км). Т.е. запаса времени на переносы миссии у стартапа будет немного.
Цитата: anik от 20.11.2025 11:47:06Цитата: Athlon от 19.11.2025 22:12:35Я думал, что она уже выведена из эксплуатации. Ее лет пять не запускали.
Последняя осталась — чего бы не использовать.
Да, действительно, нашел что в 2019 году были в наличии две ракеты, которые Stratolaunch заказал, а затем отказался от них. Одну из них израсходовали в 2021 году, и вот теперь пришло время второй - https://spaceflightnow.com/2019/10/10/rockets-purchased-by-stratolaunch-back-under-northrop-grumman-control/
https://science.nasa.gov/blogs/swift/2026/04/17/testing-begins-for-katalyst-nasa-swift-boost-mission/
ЦитироватьJeanette Kazmierczak April 17, 2026 3:23PM
Testing Begins for Katalyst-NASA Swift Boost Mission
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/394835.jpg) (https://assets.science.nasa.gov/dynamicimage/assets/science/missions/swift-observatory/news/2026/bat_link-arrival/Link%20Arrives%20to)
Engineers from Katalyst Space Technologies unpack their LINK robotic servicing spacecraft at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., on April 14, 2026. The satellite will undergo vibration and thermal testing at NASA Goddard ahead of launch later this year. Once in space, LINK will attempt to rendezvous with NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory and boost it into a higher orbit. NASA/Sophia Roberts
On April 14, engineers from Katalyst Space Technologies arrived at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, to begin environmental tests of the company's LINK robotic servicing spacecraft in preparation for its launch later this year.
Спойлер
NASA contracted (https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-awards-company-to-attempt-swift-spacecraft-orbit-boost/) Katalyst, based in Flagstaff, Arizona, to raise the orbit of the agency's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory (https://science.nasa.gov/mission/swift/) before it re-enters Earth's atmosphere.
"It's only been about seven months since NASA awarded Katalyst a contract to attempt to boost Swift with the company's LINK satellite," said S. Bradley Cenko, Swift's principal investigator at NASA Goddard (https://www.nasa.gov/goddard/). "Combined with our changes to science operations, the teams are creating the best opportunity possible to extend Swift's lifetime and continue its legacy of cosmic exploration."
All spacecraft in low Earth orbit experience drag caused by our planet's atmosphere, which gradually reduces their altitudes if they do not have propulsion systems to maintain their positions. A recent bout of increased solar activity magnified this effect on Swift, which began to sink faster than anticipated.
NASA is working with Katalyst to boost the 21-year-old observatory to its original orbit, pioneering a new servicing capability for the nation's spacecraft fleet and allowing Swift to resume science observations.
In February, the Swift team suspended the operation (https://science.nasa.gov/blogs/swift/2026/02/11/nasas-swift-mission-transitions-ops-to-prep-for-orbit-boost/) of its Ultraviolet/Optical (https://science.nasa.gov/mission/swift/spacecraft/#uvot) and X-ray (https://science.nasa.gov/mission/swift/spacecraft/#xrt) telescopes to reduce drag and slow the spacecraft's orbital decay. The change extended the available timeline for attempting boost operations by several months.
On April 7, the team also halted observations by Swift's Burst Alert Telescope (https://science.nasa.gov/mission/swift/spacecraft/#bat) to reduce power consumption. This allows operations personnel to further reduce drag by optimally positioning the satellite's solar panels.
"Swift is still producing valuable scientific data, and we have a way to preserve that while setting a blueprint for how we operate in space," said Ghonhee Lee, Katalyst's chief executive officer. "The Swift boost mission is designed to extend the life of an existing spacecraft, one not designed for servicing, quickly and cost effectively. NASA is leading the shift toward more flexible ways of operating in space by working with companies like Katalyst to get more out of its missions and deliver the best return for taxpayers."
Katalyst will move forward with LINK's vibration and thermal tests using NASA Goddard's in-house facilities in the coming weeks before installation into Northrop Grumman's Pegasus rocket at the agency's Wallops Flight Facility (https://www.nasa.gov/wallops/) in Virginia.
Начались испытания аппарата...
https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/8045/
ЦитироватьSwift Rescue Mission
Liftoff Time
No Earlier Than June 1, 2026
Mission Details
Katalyst's robotic servicing spacecraft will rendezvous with NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory and raise it to a higher altitude, demonstrating a key capability for the future of space exploration and extending the Swift mission's science lifetime.
Manufacturer: Katalyst Space Technologies
Operator: Katalyst Space Technologies
Low Earth Orbit
1 Payload
Rocket
Pegasus XL rocket by Northrop Grumman
...
Launch Site
Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site, Marshall Islands
https://science.nasa.gov/blogs/swift/2026/06/05/robotic-spacecraft-for-swift-boost-mission-arrives-at-nasa-wallops/
ЦитироватьJeanette Kazmierczak June 5, 2026 3:01PM
Robotic Spacecraft for Swift Boost Mission Arrives at NASA Wallops
The LINK robotic servicing spacecraft, built by Katalyst Space and designed to capture and boost NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory arrived at the agency's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia on Friday, June 5.
Inside NASA Wallops' Horizontal Integration Facility, Northrop Grumman engineers will install the satellite into one of the company's Pegasus XL rockets ahead of launch.
All spacecraft in low Earth orbit experience drag caused by our planet's atmosphere. As a result, satellites without propulsion systems to counteract this effect gradually lose altitude and fall toward Earth.
Recent increased solar activity magnified the impact of atmospheric drag on Swift, causing it to sink faster than anticipated.
NASA contracted Katalyst to boost the 21-year-old observatory back to a higher altitude, pioneering a new servicing capability for the nation's spacecraft fleet and allowing Swift to resume science observations.
After loading LINK into the Pegasus XL, Northrop Grumman will attach the rocket to the bottom of Stargazer, the company's modified L-1011 aircraft.
Stargazer will deploy Pegasus XL from above Kwajalein Atoll, part of the Republic of the Marshall Islands in the South Pacific Ocean, later this month. The rocket will deliver the LINK spacecraft to an orbit where it can reach Swift.
As activities on the ground have raced to get LINK to Swift, the observatory team has been continuously making Swift's orientation more aerodynamic to preserve altitude.
Learn more about the Swift mission at: https://science.nasa.gov/mission/swift/
... в конце месяца.
Интересно, что самолет L-1011 является единственным эксплуатируемым самолетом этой модели. Он был выпущен более 40 лет назад, а с 1994 года использовался для запусков РН Пегас (39 пусков, 3 - неудачных).
Цитата: С. Тушин(ский) от 06.06.2026 19:15:00Интересно, что самолет L-1011 является единственным эксплуатируемым самолетом этой модели. Он был выпущен более 40 лет назад, а с 1994 года использовался для запусков РН Пегас (39 пусков, 3 - неудачных).
Видимо, после этого пуска отправится в музей. Ракета последняя и новых не планируется.
https://science.nasa.gov/blogs/swift/2026/06/10/rocket-integration-complete-for-katalyst-nasa-swift-boost/
ЦитироватьJeanette Kazmierczak June 10, 2026 3:32PM
Rocket Integration Complete for Katalyst-NASA Swift Boost
(https://assets.science.nasa.gov/dynamicimage/assets/science/missions/swift-observatory/news/2026/link-pegasus-integration/NE201077_2581x1494.jpg?w=2581&h=1494&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint) (https://assets.science.nasa.gov/dynamicimage/assets/science/missions/swift-observatory/news/2026/link-pegasus-integration/NE201077_2581x1494.jpg?w=2581&h=1494&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint)
Katalyst Space's LINK robotic servicing satellite awaits encapsulation inside a Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL on June 8, 2026, at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. The rocket will carry LINK to space for an attempted orbital boost of NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory. NASA/Ron Beard
Engineers completed installation of Katalyst Space's LINK robotic servicing spacecraft into a Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL rocket on Tuesday, June 9, at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. Launch is anticipated later this month.
NASA contracted (https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-awards-company-to-attempt-swift-spacecraft-orbit-boost/) Katalyst to build and launch LINK to raise the altitude of the agency's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory (https://science.nasa.gov/mission/swift/).
Our planet's atmosphere creates drag for spacecraft in low Earth orbit, gradually reducing their altitudes if they don't have propulsion systems to counteract the effect.
Recent solar activity (https://science.nasa.gov/science-research/heliophysics/nasa-noaa-sun-reaches-maximum-phase-in-11-year-solar-cycle/) magnified this effect on Swift, and its orbit decayed faster than anticipated.
(https://assets.science.nasa.gov/dynamicimage/assets/science/missions/swift-observatory/news/2026/link-pegasus-integration/NE200982_3000x2000.jpg?w=3000&h=2000&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint) (https://assets.science.nasa.gov/dynamicimage/assets/science/missions/swift-observatory/news/2026/link-pegasus-integration/NE200982_3000x2000.jpg?w=3000&h=2000&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint)
Katalyst's Hunter Robertson prepares LINK ahead of it being attached to the Pegasus XL inside the Horizontal Integration Facility at NASA Wallops on June 6, 2026. NASA/Ron Beard
Based on the orbital and programmatic needs of the mission, Katalyst selected the air-launched Pegasus XL as the best means of reaching the observatory in time to perform the boost maneuver.
Northrop Grumman will launch the rocket using Stargazer, its modified L-1011 aircraft.
...
Next, Northrop Grumman engineers will attach Pegasus XL to Stargazer, which will carry it from NASA Wallops (https://www.nasa.gov/wallops/) to Kwajalein Atoll, part of the Republic of the Marshall Islands in the South Pacific Ocean, for launch.
Спутник интегрирован в РКН.
https://science.nasa.gov/blogs/swift/2026/06/15/rocket-attached-to-aircraft-for-katalyst-nasa-swift-boost/
12 июня Pegasus XL установили на Stargazer
NE201469_3000x1865.jpg
На запуск LINK появилась запретная зона с датами 27-29 июня: https://satobs.org/seesat/Jun-2026/0033.html
152059Z JUN 26
HYDROPAC 1741/26.
NORTH PACIFIC.
SOUTH PACIFIC.
MARSHALL ISLANDS.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS 270900Z TO 271428Z JUN,
ALTERNATE 0900Z TO 1428Z DAILY 28 AND 29 JUN
IN AREAS BOUND BY:
A. 07-36.00N 166-16.00E, 08-07.00N 166-36.00E,
06-35.00N 169-54.00E, 06-17.00N 169-46.00EE.
B. 05-15.00N 172-25.00E, 05-43.00N 172-39.00E,
05-12.00N 174-01.00E, 04-43.00N 173-49.00E.
C. 01-35.00S 172-19.00W, 00-42.00S 171-54.00W,
05-27.00S 160-57.00W, 06-16.00S 161-16.00W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 291528Z JUN 26.
https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/8045/
ЦитироватьSwift Boost Mission
Liftoff Time (UTC)
09:00:00
Saturday June 27, 2026
https://science.nasa.gov/blogs/swift/2026/06/19/aircraft-carrying-swift-boost-satellite-takes-off-from-nasa-wallops/
ЦитироватьJeanette Kazmierczak June 19, 2026 11:41AM
Aircraft Carrying Swift Boost Satellite Takes off From NASA Wallops
(https://assets.science.nasa.gov/dynamicimage/assets/science/missions/swift-observatory/news/2026/wallops-departure/4P6A3209.jpg?w=3219&h=1811&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint) (https://assets.science.nasa.gov/dynamicimage/assets/science/missions/swift-observatory/news/2026/wallops-departure/4P6A3209.jpg?w=3219&h=1811&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint)
Northrop Grumman's Stargazer took off Thursday, June 18, 2026, from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. The modified L-1011 aircraft carried the company's Pegasus XL rocket hosting LINK, a robotic servicing spacecraft from Katalyst Space. LINK will launch from the air-deployed Pegasus XL later this month on a mission to boost the orbit of NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory. NASA/Jeanette Kazmierczak
An airplane carrying a rocket loaded with a robotic spacecraft designed to raise NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory departed the agency's Wallops Flight Facility (https://www.nasa.gov/wallops/) in Virginia on Thursday, June 18.
Stargazer, a modified L-1011 operated by Northrop Grumman, took off for Kwajalein Atoll, part of the Republic of the Marshall Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. Attached to the belly of the aircraft was one of the company's Pegasus XL rockets with LINK inside.
NASA contracted (https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-awards-company-to-attempt-swift-spacecraft-orbit-boost/) Katalyst Space to design and build LINK to rendezvous and dock with Swift (https://science.nasa.gov/mission/swift/) and lift it back to a higher altitude.
Spacecraft in low Earth orbit experience drag caused by our planet's atmosphere, which gradually reduces their altitude if they do not have propulsion systems to counteract the effect.
Recent solar activity (https://science.nasa.gov/science-research/heliophysics/nasa-noaa-sun-reaches-maximum-phase-in-11-year-solar-cycle/) magnified this effect on Swift, which began to sink faster than anticipated.
Katalyst selected Northrop Grumman's Pegasus XL launch vehicle as the best means of reaching Swift on a short timeline based on orbital and programmatic needs.
(https://assets.science.nasa.gov/dynamicimage/assets/science/missions/swift-observatory/news/2026/wallops-departure/06182026-StargazerDeparture-002.jpg?w=2400&h=1600&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint) (https://assets.science.nasa.gov/dynamicimage/assets/science/missions/swift-observatory/news/2026/wallops-departure/06182026-StargazerDeparture-002.jpg?w=2400&h=1600&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint)
Stargazer will carry Pegasus and LINK to Kwajalein Atoll, part of the Republic of the Marshall Islands in the South Pacific Ocean with stopovers in California and Hawai'i. NASA/Jamie Adkins
Later this month, Stargazer will carry the rocket to an altitude of around 40,000 feet before releasing it.
After several seconds in free-fall, Pegasus XL will fire the first of its three-stage rocket motors, delivering LINK into orbit in about 10 minutes.
Learn more about the Swift mission at:
https://science.nasa.gov/mission/swift/swift-boost-mission/ (https://science.nasa.gov/mission/swift/swift-boost-mission/)
Завтра открывается окно для Link, есть ли новости?
https://x.com/GewoonLukas_/status/2070474103346110581
ЦитироватьLukas C. H. @GewoonLukas_
New hazard area's have appeared for the Pegasus-XL launch of the Swift Boost Mission, and they indicate the launch has been delayed by 3 days to June 30th between 07:30 and 13:28 UTC, with the actual launch likely around the middle. Meanwhile Stargazer has arrived in Kwajalein.
Перенесено на вторник.
— НАСА. Повысить орбиту Swift (NASA, Swift Boost) (на англ.) (https://epizodyspace.ru/bibl/inostr-yazyki/nasa-facts/2026/NASA_Swift_Boost_NASA_Facts_2026.pdf)
«NASA Facts», 2026 г. в pdf - 938 кб"Спустя более чем два десятилетия орбита обсерватории НАСА имени Нила Герелса Swift вступила в фазу быстрого снижения. В то время как НАСА могло бы позволить обсерватории вновь войти в атмосферу Земли, как это делают многие миссии в конце своего срока службы, эта ситуация предоставила возможность усовершенствовать американскую технологию обслуживания космических аппаратов, а также продлить срок службы продуктивной научной миссии. Спойлер
Для достижения этой цели в сентябре 2025 года НАСА заключило контракт с американской компанией Katalyst Space на попытку вывести Swift на высокую орбиту. НАСА изучает, как Солнце влияет на космическую среду, включая объекты на низкой околоземной орбите, и недавнее повышение солнечной активности ускорило снижение Swift. Это заставило НАСА поторопиться с падением Swift в атмосферу Земли осенью 2026 года. Роботизированный обслуживающий космический аппарат Katalyst LINK отправится в полет для разгона Swift в июне 2026 года на ракете Pegasus XL компании Northrop Grumman. Pegasus XL - это ракета воздушного базирования, которая будет интегрирована с LINK на летном комплексе НАСА в Уоллопсе в Вирджинии, а затем доставлена на борт L-1011 самолета-носителя компании Northrop и отправится на испытательный полигон Рейгана, расположенный на атолле Кваджалейн в южной части Тихого океана, для запуска. Запустившись с испытательного полигона Рейгана, Pegasus сможет доставить LINK непосредственно на орбиту Swift, где LINK попытается встретиться со Swift и поднять его на большую высоту. Если эта смелая миссия по обслуживанию пройдет успешно, это будет первый случай, когда коммерческая роботизированная миссия захватит космический аппарат НАСА, который не оснащен экипажем и изначально не предназначался для обслуживания в космосе". - Цели миссии: "[1] Продемонстрировать способность НАСА к быстрому реагированию и способствовать развитию гибких технологий в интересах текущих и будущих миссий. [2] Расширять обслуживание частных космических аппаратов в США, чтобы продемонстрировать ключевые коммерческие возможности для будущих исследований космоса и расширить возможности НАСА по обслуживанию нового и более широкого класса космических аппаратов. [3] Сохранить уникальную способность Swift возглавлять парк космических телескопов НАСА в изучении изменений во Вселенной с высокими энергиями, используя экономичный подход."
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Цитата: D:\ от 20.11.2025 14:11:39Это единственный американский носитель лёгкого класса, способный вывести буксир на наклонение 20 градусов. Не к китайцам же обращаться...
Falcon-9 может вывести, в одноразовом варианте, но, как выяснилось, его предлагают по цене намного большей, чем Пегас.
Уж сколько песен было спето про дешОвый Фалкон, а оно вона как!
Цитата: Athlon от 08.06.2026 12:36:24Цитата: С. Тушин(ский) от 06.06.2026 19:15:00Интересно, что самолет L-1011 является единственным эксплуатируемым самолетом этой модели. Он был выпущен более 40 лет назад, а с 1994 года использовался для запусков РН Пегас (39 пусков, 3 - неудачных).
Видимо, после этого пуска отправится в музей. Ракета последняя и новых не планируется.
Не совсем так. Не планируется, потому что нет заказов. Видимо Маск пожрал конкурентов и задрал цены. Однако, при наличии заказов они легко могут продолжать изготовление, производственная линия сохранена.
ЦитироватьEberly said that while no additional Pegasus XL rockets are in storage, Northrop would consider producing new ones if there is demand. "The tooling, the motor production, is still available at our production systems group," he said. "We'd certainly be willing to offer that to other customers."
https://x.com/Dillonshrop06/status/2071803719335682130
ЦитироватьDillon Shropshire @Dillonshrop06
Hazard Map for Swift Rescue Mission
http://bit.ly/44i2LTN
NET Jun 30 1023 UTC
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HMCGgGYWUAABfOa?format=jpg&name=medium) (https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HMCGgGYXwAAhKZ-?format=jpg&name=medium)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOZ2dc-e4NIЦитироватьhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOZ2dc-e4NI
Northrop Grumman - Pegasus XL - Stargazer - SWIFT Boost Mission - Space Affairs Live
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/351096.jpg) (https://www.youtube.com/@Space-Affairs) SPACE AFFAIRS (https://www.youtube.com/@Space-Affairs)
https://science.nasa.gov/blogs/swift/2026/06/30/launch-of-mission-to-boost-nasas-swift-scrubs-due-to-weather/
ЦитироватьThe launch of Katalyst Space's robotic servicing spacecraft LINK, designed to boost the orbit of NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, was postponed Tuesday due to unfavorable weather conditions. The next launch attempt is targeted for no earlier than Wednesday, July 1, at 9:43 p.m. UTC+12 (5:43 a.m. EDT), on Northrop Grumman's Pegasus XL rocket from Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands.
1 июля в 09:43 utc
20260630_144540.jpg