NASA and a commercial company, Katalyst Space, have collaborated to save NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory from an early demise. The observatory, initially expected to last until 2030, is on track to burn up in Earth’s atmosphere by the year-end due to accelerated descent. To counter this, a robotic spacecraft is being developed to propel Swift back into a higher orbit, potentially extending its operational life by a decade or more.
Brad Cenko, the principal investigator of Swift, mentioned that typically, NASA would meticulously plan a mission of this magnitude over decades. However, due to the urgent situation, the plan was expedited within about a year and a half, presenting a different challenge for NASA.
The predicament arose in early 2025 when NASA noticed Swift’s unexpected rapid descent towards Earth caused by heightened solar activity. This same activity has led to increased visibility of the Northern Lights, indicating the urgency of the situation. Swift, which was launched at an altitude of 600 kilometers in 2004, has now descended to about 360 kilometers.
To address this, NASA enlisted the services of Katalyst to construct a spacecraft capable of reaching Swift in time. The resulting spacecraft, LINK, is designed to interact with Swift, a complex task given that Swift was not originally intended for in-space maintenance. The operation involves the deployment of LINK from a rocket, Pegasus XL, attached to a modified L-1011 airplane named Stargazer.
Scheduled for later this month, Stargazer will take off from Kwajalein Atoll, with the rocket releasing to intercept Swift in the atmosphere. Using its robotic arms resembling lobster claws, LINK will grasp Swift and provide the necessary boost to reposition it.
If successful, this mission could mark a significant advancement in in-space servicing capabilities, according to Mason Peck, a professor at Cornell University. It could pave the way for future operations such as refueling, component replacements, and assembly of large structures in space, promoting a more sustainable approach to space operations.
Cenko emphasized the importance of preserving Swift’s unique capabilities in monitoring celestial events swiftly and effectively. Even if the mission does not achieve its intended outcome, the lessons learned from this endeavor could prove invaluable for future space missions, showcasing NASA’s ability to innovate and adapt swiftly.
