NASA Launches Rescue Mission To Save The Swift Observatory
Language
Reading Level
Listen to Article
Alignment
NASA's Swift Observatory, which was launched in 2004, was designed to last just two years. Yet more than two decades later, the orbiting space telescope is still helping scientists study gamma-ray bursts. These powerful flashes of energy occur when stars die or collide. They help scientists learn about the history of the universe.
However, Swift is now losing altitude. At its current rate, it will reenter Earth's atmosphere by the end of the year and burn up. To save the aging observatory, NASA launched a bold rescue mission on July 3, 2026.
The Swift Boost Mission will use a robotic spacecraft named LINK to raise Swift into a higher orbit. LINK is expected to reach the observatory in late August. Once there, it will attach to Swift using its three robotic arms. Over the next several months, LINK will gradually move the telescope from its current orbit, about 224 miles (360 km) above Earth, to a safer orbit roughly 373 miles (600 km) high. Once the boost is complete, LINK will detach from Swift. It will reenter Earth's atmosphere and burn up. Swift will then continue its mission from its new orbit.
The rescue mission, which costs $30 million, is extremely risky. Swift was never designed to be attached to another spacecraft. Also, after more than 20 years in space, it is fragile. Engineers will have to carefully connect LINK to Swift without damaging it.
However, If the mission is successful, Swift could continue its important work for at least five more years. This would save NASA the much greater cost of building and launching a replacement spacecraft with similar capabilities.
This is the first time NASA is attempting to extend the life of an aging spacecraft using a robotic vehicle in this way. If LINK succeeds, it could provide a cost-effective way to repair and rescue other valuable spacecraft, including the Hubble Space Telescope.
Resources: Science.nasa.gov, CBSnews.com, Space.com
Get the Workbook for this article!
Workbook contains: Article, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking Questions, Vocabulary in Context (+ answers), Multiple Choice Quiz (+ answers), Parts of Speech Quiz (+ answers), Vocabulary Game (+ answers)Cite Article
Learn Keywords in this Article
15 Comments
randomperson1235 daysThis is so like a movie
jatakebepoma5 daysok ok so I love nasa space ship.
glibglobxd9 daysLINK!??!!?!?!??! new Zelda game coming out in space fr fr- bocelyjafupi10 daysthat is a great idea mewbybylome! the should use a moded falcon nine or other space X tech
- bocelyjafupi10 daysI think that this is too risky and that Nasa should find another way. The space craft is far too fragile and also, we have the James Webb to take its place. I do think that it is important to study the gamma ray bursts though
number1phmfan10 daysI need to lock in if I want to work for NASA when I'm older vro
jenn_woah11 daysGreat- rose1311 daysBro that's cray cray
jesus_is_king12 daysThat's a lot of money 😶- mewybybylome13 daysJames says, "I think the LINK idea is very cool. It would be cool if LINK did not have to burn up because they could use it for other missions." Grandma says, "I agree! I especially like the way they launched it from a high-flying plane! Unique!"
