NASA Calls Off Swift Space Telescope Rescue Mission
NASA and Katalyst Space Technologies canceled the Swift Observatory rescue mission Wednesday. The telescope will reenter Earth's atmosphere and burn up later this year.
- $30 million: what NASA paid Katalyst for the rescue attempt.
- Link spacecraft went into an uncontrollable spin weeks after its July launch.
- 216 miles: Swift's orbital altitude as of last week.
- Swift launched in 2004; its science instruments were shut down earlier this year.
Why it matters: Intense solar activity drove Swift's orbit lower faster than anticipated, prompting the rescue effort. Without a boost, the 22-year-old telescope cannot survive.
- Hubble, 36 years old, was next in line for a rescue if Swift succeeded — its fate is now unclear.
How 16 sources split on this story
Center coverage, 5 sources: The center presents the failure as a high-risk commercial space venture that fell short, noting both the $30 million cost and the lessons Katalyst says it gained.
Reuters6hNasa e Katalyst cancelam missão do Swift após problemas na nave de resgate
Axios6hNASA aborts mission to save dying space telescopeWYWKBN Youngstown5hRescue mission is called off for NASA's aging Swift space telescopeYNYahoo News6hRescue mission is called off for NASA's aging Swift space telescopeLeft coverage, 5 sources: The left frames the cancellation as the loss of a beloved scientific asset, emphasizing Swift's 20-plus years of discoveries and the uncertain fate of Hubble.
The Independent5hNASA calls off rescue mission for falling space telescope
CBS News4hNASA's Swift telescope will plunge toward Earth after rescue mission called off
CNN4hA NASA observatory will likely reenter Earth’s atmosphere this year after rescue effort falls short
NBC News3hNASA mission to save its sinking space telescope failsTBGThe Boston Globe1hNASA’s attempt to save a falling space telescope has failed
Daily Mail5hDoomed NASA space telescope set for uncontrolled fall to Earth after failed rescue mission
National Post48mNASA calls off risky mission to save falling satellite
New York Post4hMission to save NASA's aging Swift space telescope called off after rescue spacecraft loses control
The Epoch Times1dNASA Opts Out of Swift Observatory Rescue Mission, Will Let It Burn on Reentry
The Washington Times5hRescue mission is called off for NASA's aging Swift space telescope
Washington Examiner4hNASA abandons mission to rescue aging Swift space telescopeWhat’s next: Katalyst will station Link near Swift to demonstrate future servicing capabilities.
- NASA has not announced whether a Hubble rescue mission remains viable.
- Will NASA fund another commercial rescue attempt for Hubble, or accept its eventual reentry?
- Can Katalyst's proximity operations with Link yield data useful for future satellite servicing missions?