NASA Axes LINK Rescue Mission to Save Swift Space Telescope
NASA has canceled the LINK mission, which was intended to boost the orbit of the aging Swift space telescope. The mission was designed to extend the life of the observatory, which tracks gamma-ray bursts, but will now likely reenter the atmosphere in 2026.
Why it matters
The loss of the Swift telescope will reduce the scientific community's ability to monitor gamma-ray bursts and study the early universe.
<p>NASA has <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-updates-next-steps-for-commercial-swift-boost-mission/" target="_blank" title="(Opens in a new tab)">canceled</a> its recent mission to save one of its key space observatories from falling to Earth.</p><p>Swift, which launched in 2004, captures data about gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), which can give scientists insights about the early history of the universe. Due to issues with increased solar activity, the observatory was projected to reenter Earth's atmosphere and burn up at some point in late 2026.</p><p>On July 3, NASA <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/news/nasa-launches-mission-to-save-falling-telescope" target="_self">launched</a> the LINK spacecraft, built in partnership with Arizona-based start-up Katalyst Space Technologies, into low Earth orbit as part of <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-awards-company-to-attempt-swift-spacecraft-orbit-boost/" target="_blank" title="(Opens in a new tab)">plans to save Swift.</a> The unmanned mission aimed to grab hold of and boost Swift upwards, extending its lifespan for roughly a decade.</p><div class="mb-0 rounded-md bg-gray-100 p-3 md:p-5" id="related-video">
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