'No one thought it was going to be possible.' A space telescope is falling out of space. This is NASA's daring plan to save it.
NASA is partnering with Katalyst Space Technologies to launch a daring rescue mission for the aging Swift space observatory. A custom-built spacecraft will attempt to dock with the telescope to boost it into a higher, safer orbit before it re-enters the atmosphere.
Why it matters
This mission represents a pioneering effort in orbital maintenance and life-extension for critical scientific infrastructure.
Launches & Spacecraft 'No one thought it was going to be possible.' A space telescope is falling out of space. This is NASA's daring plan to save it. News By Tariq Malik published 19 June 2026 NASA's Swift space observatory is falling out of orbit. Can a commercial company build a spacecraft in nine months to save it?
The article provides a factual account of a scientific mission and the technical challenges involved.
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