NASA's Swift space telescope is falling toward Earth. Can a robotic rescue mission save it?

NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory is at risk of falling back into Earth's atmosphere, unless a robotic rescue mission can save it. [NASA]

By BlueShift | 2026-07-07

Since its launch in 2004, NASA's multiwavelength Swift Gamma-ray Observatory (now known as the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory) has been studying gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), the most powerful explosions in the universe.

The telescope has significantly expanded our understanding of the universe in multiple ways, from helping to detect the most powerful GRB ever recorded to monitoring supermassive black holes ripping apart and consuming stars.

But now the aging space telescope is falling out of the skies, and is expected to burn up in Earth's atmosphere by the end of this year.

Enter US aerospace startup Katalyst Space, which is partnering with NASA to attempt to "capture and raise" the telescope and reposition it in low Earth orbit (LEO), where it would be able to continue its pioneering work.

Katalyst Space's robotic spacecraft, LINK, is seen here in a vibration chamber at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center ahead of its mission to prevent the Swift space telescope from burning up in Earth's atmosphere as it falls. [NASA/Scott Wiessinger, via Katalyst]

An artist’s concept of the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory in orbit with spacecraft elements identified. [NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center Conceptual Image Lab]

The robotic spacecraft that will attempt this unprecedented effort is known as LINK, and its mission is obviously time sensitive.

"Unlike traditional missions that unfold over several years, the Swift boost is being executed in nine months from contract award to launch," Katalyst Space said in a statement.

LINK launched July 3 aboard a Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL rocket from Kwajalein Atoll in the South Pacific Ocean, and teams have successfully established communications with it, according to NASA.

Over the coming weeks, Katalyst will perform checkout procedures for LINK, including assessments of its propulsion, sensor, and navigation systems, before the robotic spacecraft heads to Swift to conduct an initial survey.

The Swift boost mission is a first-of-a-kind attempt to autonomously capture and reposition an operational satellite that was not designed for servicing.

"Beyond preserving a world-class scientific observatory, the mission represents a broader shift toward more frequent and more affordable on-orbit operations, establishing a repeatable model for extending the life of high-value spacecraft and expanding the range of viable missions," Katalyst Space said.

How and why

After it reaches an orbit near that of the telescope, the LINK robotic spacecraft must first locate the Swift telescope and then maneuver around it, latching on with three movable arms.

LINK will then try to tow the telescope into a stable orbit over the course of at least a month, rescuing it from destruction by moving it about 300 km higher.

Gamma-ray bursts are extremely brief, NASA astrophysicist Regina Caputo told AFP.

This is why the telescope was placed at an altitude of approximately 600 km in LEO, she said, enabling it to remain in constant communication with researchers.

But at that altitude, Caputo explained, a device without its own propulsion would eventually drift closer to Earth and burn up in the atmosphere.

This was expected, because when the Sun is in its more active cyclical stages, it emits more particles and causes an expansion of Earth's atmosphere which creates drag, meaning satellites in LEO lose altitude.

Yet when forecasts in early 2025 indicated the telescope was nearing the end of its life, NASA began considering a possible rescue.

"We decided, yeah, we want to go save this one this time, because of how special it is," said Shawn Domagal-Goldman, the director of NASA's astrophysics division.

"I'm just deeply thankful that we're even giving this a go."

The mission to save the Swift telescope has a projected cost of $30 million. The telescope itself originally cost $250 million.

And a successful mission is not a given, as LINK will have to overcome numerous challenges and unknowns.

For example, engineers do not have a clear picture of what the back of the telescope looks like -- even though that's where the robot must latch on.

Yet NASA and Katalyst believe the mission might pave the way for new possibilities in spacecraft management, and is worth a shot.

It could represent the "start of a new model" to "refuel, reposition, repurpose, repair, and even upgrade satellites, even if they were never prepared for it," Katalyst vice president Robert Lamontagne said.

High demand

Despite its age, the Swift telescope -- a NASA mission with international participation -- remains in high demand within the scientific community.

Should it burn up, it could not be immediately replaced.

Swift houses three multiwavelength telescopes, collecting data in visible, ultraviolet, X-ray, and gamma-ray light, according to NASA.

Its observations are helping scientists understand gamma-ray bursts -- brief, intense, flashes of gamma radiation that come from all different directions of the sky and last from a few milliseconds to a few hundred seconds.

So far scientists do not know what causes them.

With Swift, they have a tool dedicated to answering these questions and solving the gamma-ray burst mystery.

And now with LINK, they have the possibility, at least, of continuing and building upon that work.

Innovation