NASA launched an emergency mission to stop the Swift Observatory from crashing to Earth

Superadmin Superadmin
Jul 5, 2026 - 00:37
0 2
NASA launched an emergency mission to stop the Swift Observatory from crashing to Earth
Engineers from Katalyst Space Technologies in Flagstaff, Ariz., stabilize their LINK robotic servicing spacecraft as it moves into a vibration chamber at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., on April 15, 2026. The vibration chamber simulated the intense shaking LINK will experience during launch.
Engineers from Katalyst Space Technologies testing Link. | Image: NASA/Scott Wiessinger

The Swift Observatory was launched in 2004, but recent solar storms have pushed its orbit lower, and it's in danger of burning up in Earth's atmosphere as soon as this year. To try and stave off its demise, NASA has enlisted Katalyst Space Technologies. The company's Link spacecraft launched Friday with the goal of intercepting Swift, which has no propulsion system, and boosting its orbit back to its original position. Right now, Swift is circling at an altitude of 224 miles, and Link is aiming to raise that by about 150 miles.

Using a three-armed spacecraft to lift a satellite 150 miles higher into orbit is challenging enough, but the spee …

Read the full story at The Verge.

Read More