Did a private spacecraft successfully rescue NASA’s Swift telescope?

No. Katalyst Space’s LINK spacecraft came within 12 to 15 kilometres of NASA’s Swift Observatory, but it did not capture the telescope or raise its orbit.

NASA says the original boost mission was scaled back because of attitude-control issues with LINK. The spacecraft instead tested its robotic arms and propulsion, while the Associated Press reported that stabilizing LINK had left too little fuel for the planned boost.

Swift has resumed science observations, but without the orbital boost its orbit is expected to keep decaying. NASA anticipates reentry between October and the end of 2026, although the close approach still produced data for future servicing missions.