I really wonder why NASA gave the job to a couple relative noobs, vs. (say) Rocket Lab. The latter already had an amply proven launcher, some fairly autonomous kick stage models, and the scale and speed to launch multiple boost missions before Swift's time ran out.
For those unfamiliar, the failed attempt to boost Swift's orbit and save it - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Gehrels_Swift_Observatory...
I really wonder why NASA gave the job to a couple relative noobs, vs. (say) Rocket Lab. The latter already had an amply proven launcher, some fairly autonomous kick stage models, and the scale and speed to launch multiple boost missions before Swift's time ran out.
Anyone familiar?