NASA mission aims to rescue aging space observatory from atmospheric re-entry

NASA is undertaking a critical mission to save the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, a space telescope launched in 2004 to study gamma-ray bursts. Recent solar storms have dangerously lowered the observatory's orbit, putting it at risk of burning up in Earth's atmosphere as early as this year.

The mission involves raising Swift's orbital altitude to extend its operational life. NASA has partnered with Katalyst Space Technologies for this task. Katalyst's Link spacecraft launched on June 3 and is expected to rendezvous with Swift to perform the orbital adjustment.

Swift currently orbits at an altitude of about 224 miles. Unlike many satellites, it lacks its own propulsion system, making external intervention necessary. The mission was expedited due to Swift's orbit projected to decay beyond recovery by October. Katalyst developed and launched the servicing mission in just nine months, at a cost of approximately $30 million. The Swift Observatory itself is valued at around $500 million.