NASA is working to rescue the falling Swift Observatory, which could leave orbit by the end of the year

NASA seeks rescue for the Swift Observatory

The small space station Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory has been in low Earth orbit since 2004 and is set to “lose altitude” due to atmospheric drag. If no action is taken, the satellite will most likely re‑enter the atmosphere by the end of this year.

To prevent this, NASA signed a $30 million contract with private company Katalyst Space Technologies. Under the agreement, a Pegasus XL service rocket carrying the “Link service module” must launch by June 1, its task being to approach Swift, dock, and raise its orbit to a safe altitude.

Why it’s needed
1. Preserve an observatory worth about $500 million.
2. Test whether commercial space servicing is suitable for rescuing government satellites that were not originally designed for service operations.

What Swift does
- Studies gamma‑ray bursts—the most powerful explosions in the universe (death of massive stars, mergers of neutron stars and black holes).
- Can quickly point to a source of radiation while it fades.
- In the United States there is no other satellite with such capabilities.

Orbit problem
- On its low Earth trajectory Swift already feels resistance from thin air.
- With high solar activity and geomagnetic storms, drag has increased, making re‑entry more likely by the end of 2026.
- At altitudes below 320 km controlling two large spacecraft becomes dangerous due to rising aerodynamic drag.

What Link does
- Equipped with three robotic manipulators with grippers designed for various contact scenarios.
- The system must find “familiar” grasp points (edges, protrusions) after several weeks of approach.
- Moreover, Swift’s surface may have degraded over 22 years: painted elements could crack from UV radiation, and outer insulation could become brittle under atomic oxygen exposure.

Difficulties and risks
Risk | Cause | Explanation
---|---|---
Lack of complete visual documentation | NASA and Northrop Grumman archives lack final images needed for precise approach planning. | No full visual data.
Rocket choice | Falcon 9 is unsuitable due to orbital inclination (Swift flies between 20° N and 20° S). Pegasus XL is more flexible but hasn’t been used since 2021. | Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral would cost ≈ $65–70 million—almost twice the mission budget. Pegasus XL can deliver up to 400 kg to the required trajectory and last launch cost about $28 million.

Action plan
1. Launch Pegasus XL – June 1.
2. Approach Swift – several weeks.
3. Docking and orbit raise – operation completes by summer/fall.

If everything succeeds, the observatory will continue operating for several more years, and Katalyst will gain unique experience of the world’s first docking with an operational satellite. If the mission fails, Swift will re‑enter by the end of 2026 and NASA will lose a vital scientific instrument.