Explained: Why NASA is trying to save the Swift Space Telescope before it falls to Earth | Today’s news
NASA is preparing an unprecedented mission to save one of its aging space telescopes before it falls back to Earth.
The agency has partnered with startup Katalyst Space Technologies to launch a robotic spacecraft that will capture the Swift observatory, lift it into a higher orbit and extend its scientific life. If successful, it would mark the first US mission to physically rescue and relocate a satellite already in orbit, potentially paving the way for future servicing of major space observatories such as the Hubble Space Telescope.
Why does Swift need to be saved?
Launched in 2004, the Swift observatory was designed to detect some of the most powerful explosions in space, including:
Exploding stars (supernovae)
After more than two decades in orbit, Swift continues to lose altitude.
The main reason is increased solar activity. The Sun is currently near the peak of its 11-year solar cycle, producing stronger solar flares and heating Earth’s upper atmosphere.
This causes the atmosphere to expand, creating more drag on satellites in low Earth orbit, pulling them down faster than usual.
Why is the mission urgent?
Swift currently orbits about 360 kilometers (224 miles) above Earth.
NASA says it needs to stay above 300 kilometers (185 miles) for a rescue mission to be feasible.
If it falls below that altitude — expected around October — the spacecraft could descend too quickly to be successfully intercepted.
To buy more time, NASA shut down Swift’s science instruments in February to reduce drag and slow its orbital decay.
How will NASA save Swift?
NASA awarded a $30 million rescue contract to Katalyst Space Technologies.
The mission will use a robotic spacecraft called Link, which contains:
Finger-like gripping mechanisms
Autonomous navigation software
Satellite sensing technology
After launching aboard a Pegasus rocket from the Marshall Islands, Link will spend about a month catching up with Swift.
Once connected, it will gradually raise the Swift orbit from:
The entire orbit raising process is expected to take another two months.
If all goes according to plan, Swift could resume science observations by September.
Why is this mission difficult?
The Swift was never designed to be serviced or repaired.
Unlike the Hubble Space Telescope — which astronauts repeatedly repaired during space shuttle missions — the Swift has:
Therefore, the rescue robot must determine suitable places to grasp the telescope without damaging the delicate equipment.
Company officials acknowledge that there is no guarantee that the mission will be successful.
Has anyone done this before?
Only China has previously carried out a similar mission.
In 2022, China successfully used a robotic spacecraft to dock and move an aging satellite to a higher “graveyard orbit”.
If successful, Katalyst would be the first US mission to extend the life of a robotic satellite.
Why is Swift so valuable?
Although Swift is more than 20 years old, it remains one of NASA’s most important astronomical observatories.
It acts as NASA’s “first responder” by quickly responding to sudden cosmic events detected by other telescopes.
Its fast response capability complements powerful observatories such as:
-James Webb Space Telescope
-The upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope
Without Swift, astronomers could lose the ability to quickly study short-lived cosmic explosions.
NASA officials say replacing Swift would cost hundreds of millions of dollars — money the agency doesn’t currently have.
Could it be the next Hubble?
Swift isn’t the only telescope to lose height.
The 36-year-old Hubble Space Telescope is also gradually descending due to increased atmospheric drag.
Katalyst says its next-generation robotic spacecraft, expected to be ready within the next few years, could perform a similar orbit-raising mission for Hubble around 2028.
Unlike Swift, Hubble was previously manned by astronauts five times during the Space Shuttle era, but no space shuttle missions are possible today.
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Why is this mission important for the future?
In addition to saving Swift, NASA sees the mission as a test of a new way to keep a spacecraft in orbit.
Instead of replacing aging satellites, robotic servicing missions could:
– Extend the life of satellites
– Repair a damaged spaceship
-Move the satellites to a safer orbit
-Build large structures such as solar farms and space data centers
Ultimately, Katalyst envisions fleets of autonomous robots routinely manning spacecraft in Earth orbit.
If the Swift mission is successful, it could usher in a new era in which satellites and space telescopes are regularly maintained, rather than abandoned as their orbits begin to decay.
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