NASA is preparing a rescue mission for the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory space observatory, which is gradually losing altitude and may enter Earth's atmosphere. To save the spacecraft, a special robotic space tug is planned to be launched, reports UNN with reference to AP.
Details
The Swift observatory, which has been operating in orbit since 2004, is in question. It is designed to observe gamma-ray bursts, X-ray, ultraviolet, and optical phenomena in the Universe.
According to NASA, the spacecraft is in low Earth orbit and is gradually descending due to drag from the upper layers of the atmosphere. The situation was complicated by increased solar activity, which led to the expansion of Earth's atmosphere and increased the satellite's deceleration.
Swift itself does not have its own engine that would allow it to rise to a higher orbit. Because of this, NASA has engaged Katalyst Space to conduct the Swift Boost mission.
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As part of the mission, a robotic spacecraft called LINK is to be launched into space. It must approach the observatory, capture it, and lift it to a safer orbit.
The mission launch is planned no earlier than June 30, 2026. For this, they plan to use a Pegasus XL rocket, which will first be carried aloft by the Stargazer aircraft from the Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific Ocean.
The contract value is about $30 million. NASA signed it with Katalyst Space in September 2025, so the company had less than a year to develop, test, and prepare the spacecraft for launch.
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If the mission is successful, Swift will be able to continue scientific observations for several more years. In case of failure, the observatory will likely enter the atmosphere and burn up. NASA cites the scientific value of the spacecraft as the main loss, as Swift remains an important tool for astronomical research.
Currently, NASA has already limited the operation of some of the observatory's instruments to reduce atmospheric drag and buy time before the rescue operation.
Reference
The Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory is a NASA space observatory launched in 2004. It studies short-lived high-energy phenomena in the Universe, in particular gamma-ray bursts that occur during the most powerful cosmic processes.
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