NASA’s Swift telescope has burned up, months after a robot sent to save it failed – here’s why it’s so hard to boost a satellite
If you bump a spacecraft in orbit, it may start tumbling uncontrollably. To save a falling satellite, the rescuer must be incredibly steady and precise.
On October 20, 2026, the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, a NASA telescope, concluded its mission by re-entering Earth's atmosphere and burning up above Indonesia. This abrupt end to a two-decade history of observing cosmic explosions came after a failed attempt to rescue the telescope in the summer of 2026. LINK, a commercial robotic spacecraft, was launched in July 2026 with the purpose of raising Swift into a higher orbit.
However, due to a series of issues, the mission fell short. LINK lost two reaction wheels, which aid in steering, and its propulsion system malfunctioned, causing it to spin uncontrollably. Despite engineers' efforts to control the spin, LINK ran out of fuel before it could successfully capture and boost Swift. The mission's short development timeline and heavy reliance on fuel left little room for unexpected issues, leaving LINK unable to complete its rescue task.
Satellite rescue is a complex and costly endeavor, even more so when faced with unforeseen challenges.
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