NASA Launches Rescue Mission To Save The Swift Observatory
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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
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15 Comments
ilovehenrydsaf113 dayscool
milkfanforever13 daysI don't think this is a good idea, why can't nasa just replace the swift observatory, instead of paying 30 million to raise the Swift into a higher altitude, why not spend a bit more to replace the swift observatory so there could be up to date technology? Swift has already been in space longer than it is suppose to.- mewybybylome13 daysIf the Swift is still doing it's job, then why let it burn up and have to build a new one for more money that saving it. The money saved could build other new, more powerful telescopes for new discoveries.
godismysavior15 daysnice- gojisisazywu16 daysnice it is very cool..... FIRST COMMENT BTW
