NASA calls off mission to save Swift Observatory telescope in space
NASA and Katalyst Space have announced the failure of a mission to boost the altitude of the aging Swift Gamma Ray Observatory. Despite the failure, the telescope remains operational, though it is expected to re-enter Earth's atmosphere later this year.
Why it matters
This highlights the risks associated with extending the life of aging space assets and the challenges of private-public partnerships in space exploration.
At the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Nov 20, 2004, a NASA Boeing Delta II rocket lifts off with the Swift Gamma Ray Observatory on board from launch complex 17A. The payload has been used to observe and monitor gamma ray bursts and relay the information to scientists for 21 years. File Photo by Marino/Cantrell/UPI Aug. 20 (UPI) -- NASA and Katalyst Space have announced that the mission to boost the altitude of a Swift Observatory space telescope has failed.
The announcement came down on Wednesday after an attempt to use the LINK spacecraft ran into altitude control issues, NASA and Katalyst Space said in a press release. The spacecraft was meant to raise NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory to a higher altitude.
LINK is still set to attempt rendezvous and proximity operations with the Swift Observatory.
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