Explained: Why NASA is racing to save the Swift space telescope before it falls to Earth
NASA is preparing an unprecedented mission to rescue one of its aging space telescopes before it falls back to Earth. The agency has partnered with
NASA is preparing an unprecedented mission to rescue one of its aging space telescopes before it falls back to Earth. The agency has partnered with startup Katalyst Space Technologies to launch a robotic spacecraft that will capture the Swift Observatory, lift it into a higher orbit and extend its scientific life. If successful, it would mark the first American mission to physically rescue and reposition a satellite already in orbit, potentially paving the way for future servicing of major space observatories like the Hubble Space Telescope. Why does Swift need to be rescued? Launched in 2004, the Swift Observatory was designed to detect some of the universe's most powerful explosions, including Gamma-ray bursts Exploding stars (supernovae) Black hole activity Neutron star collisions After more than two decades in orbit, Swift has been steadily losing altitude. The main reason is increased solar activity. The Sun is currently near the peak of its 11-year solar cycle, producing stronger solar flares and heating Earth's upper atmosphere. This causes the atmosphere to expand, creating greater drag on satellites in low Earth orbit and pulling them downward faster than usual. Why is the mission urgent? Swift currently orbits about 360 kilometers (224 miles) above Earth.
NASA says it must remain above 300 kilometers (185 miles) for a rescue mission to be feasible. If it falls below that altitude—expected around October—the spacecraft could descend too quickly for a successful capture. To buy more time, NASA shut down Swift's scientific instruments in February to reduce drag and slow its orbital decay. How will NASA rescue Swift? NASA awarded Katalyst Space Technologies a $30 million contract to carry out the rescue. The mission will use a robotic spacecraft called Link, which features Three robotic arms Finger-like gripping mechanisms Autonomous navigation software Satellite capture technology After launch aboard an air-launched Pegasus rocket from the Marshall Islands, Link will spend about one month catching up with Swift. Once attached, it will gradually raise Swift's orbit from 360 km (224 miles) to 600 km (373 miles) The entire orbit-raising process is expected to take another two months. If everything goes according to plan, Swift could resume scientific observations by September. Why is this mission difficult? Swift was never designed to be serviced or repaired. Unlike the Hubble Space Telescope—which astronauts repeatedly repaired during Space Shuttle missions—Swift has No docking port No capture handles No servicing interface The rescue robot must therefore identify suitable places to grip the telescope without damaging delicate equipment.
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