E.65 - BYA Special - Arizona's Orbital Tow Truck - Katalyst Space Attempts to Rescue NASA's Swift Observatory

On Tuesday, June 30, an Arizona-based company will attempt a mission that could change the future of spaceflight. Katalyst Space Technologies, headquartered in Flagstaff, plans to launch a first-of-its-kind orbital servicing mission designed to rendezvous with NASA's aging Swift space telescope and potentially extend its operational life. In this episode, we'll explore why satellites slowly lose altitude, how space debris affects the orbital environment, and why many experts believe satellite servicing may become one of the most important industries of the coming Space Age. Could the future of spaceflight involve repairing and refueling spacecraft instead of replacing them? Join us as we take a closer look at Arizona's role in a historic mission that may give an aging scientific observatory a second chance. #BackyardAstronomer #SpaceExploration #SwiftTelescope #KatalystSpace #ArizonaSpace #Astronomy #SpaceScience #OrbitalServicing #SpaceDebris #FlagstaffAZ     Follow us at facebook.com/BackyardAstronomerAZ Check out the NAZ Astro mission of STEM education at facebook.com/NAZAstro Support STEM education patreon.com/NAZAstro Our awesome sponsors: facebook.com/manzanitains www.Manzanita-Insurance.com www.ManzanitaAccounting.com www.ManzanitaInsuranceAndAccounting.com www.BackyardAstroAZ.com