NASA, Katalyst call off SWIFT rescue mission over issues with rescue craft in space

channelnewsasia.com ·2026-08-19

On August 19, NASA and the rescue mission operator Katalyst Space announced the cancellation of a rescue mission to save NASA's aging SWIFT observatory. The decision came after the spacecraft responsible for boosting the telescope's orbit encountered irreparable technical problems in space. Katalyst Space and NASA's joint assessment of the LINK spacecraft revealed ongoing attitude control issues, rendering the mission to capture and boost NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory unfeasible.

The statement from Katalyst Space affirmed their commitment to providing timely updates on breaking news and top stories.

Written by urgent.news from Channel News Asia's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.

Also reported by 6 other outlets

Rescue mission for ageing Nasa space telescope fails scmp.com
NASA satellite rescue mission fails, swift telescope set to fall to earth france24.com
Katalyst Space and NASA abandon plans for Swift reboost spacenews.com
NASA will no longer attempt to save its aging Swift space telescope cbc.ca
NASA's Swift telescope will plunge toward Earth after rescue mission called off cbsnews.com
NASA, Katalyst call off SWIFT rescue mission over issues with rescue craft in space channelnewsasia.com

Read the original at channelnewsasia.com →

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