Science
NASA resumes Swift telescope operations as orbital life limits approach
The space agency brought two of Swift's instruments back online after a commercial rescue mission by Katalyst Space failed to boost the observatory's altitude.
The short version
- NASA has restarted science operations on two of the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory's three instruments after a commercial orbital boost attempt was abandoned.
- A private spacecraft named LINK suffered orientation control issues, prompting NASA and Katalyst Space to cancel the plan to capture and lift the aging telescope.
- With atmospheric drag pulling Swift downward faster than anticipated, scientists estimate the observatory has only one to two months before dropping below its critical operating altitude.
Key facts
- NASA resumed science operations for Swift's Ultraviolet/Optical Telescope and X-ray Telescope on August 26.[ScienceDaily]
- The instruments had been shut down in February 2026 to position Swift's solar panels to reduce atmospheric drag and lower power needs.[ScienceDaily]
- A commercial rescue mission by Katalyst Space, using the LINK spacecraft launched in July, was canceled on August 19 due to orientation control failures.[ScienceDaily]
- Increased solar activity has expanded Earth's upper atmosphere, generating higher-than-expected drag that is accelerating Swift's descent.[ScienceDaily]
- Scientists expect Swift to fall below its critical operating altitude of 185 miles within the next one to two months.[ScienceDaily]
- Katalyst still intends to maneuver LINK near Swift to test rendezvous and proximity operations for future satellite servicing technologies.[ScienceDaily]
What remains uncertain
- The exact timing of when Swift will fall below the critical 185-mile threshold remains an estimate, dependent on fluctuating atmospheric drag.[ScienceDaily]
Sources
- NASA’s Swift telescope is back, but time is running outScienceDaily - Science