NASA launched an emergency mission to stop the Swift Observatory from crashing to Earth
NASA has contracted Katalyst Space Technologies to perform an emergency orbital boost for the aging Swift Observatory. The $30 million mission aims to prevent the satellite from burning up in the atmosphere due to orbital decay caused by solar storms.
Why it matters
The Swift Observatory is a vital tool for studying gamma-ray bursts, and this mission represents a rare, high-stakes attempt to extend the life of a non-propulsive satellite.
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.
The article provides factual reporting on a scientific and engineering endeavor without political or social framing.
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