NASA’s Swift telescope resumes science work on borrowed time
Two instruments are back online after a failed mission to boost the observatory into a higher orbit.
NASA’s Psyche spacecraft flew past Mars and revealed breathtaking views of Mars’ surface.
NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory has restarted its science work following a failed rescue mission to extend its lifespan.
Two out of three of Swift’s instruments have resumed operations as of Wednesday, Aug. 26: the Ultraviolet/Optical and X-ray telescopes. Both instruments were switched off in February to help minimize drag and increase Swift’s time in orbit, according to a statement from NASA.
The third instrument, the Burst Alert Telescope, remains out of action since it was turned off in April to conserve power, so Swift’s solar panels could be repositioned to reduce drag. The agency hopes to return it to work in the coming weeks.
The X-ray Telescope aboard NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory captured this image of Tycho’s supernova remnant on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. (Credit: NASA/Swift)
Swift’s resumed operations follow a botched mission to rescue the observatory in mid-August. Arizona’s Katalyst Space Technologies’ LINK spacecraft was commissioned by NASA to pull the satellite into higher orbit, since increased solar activity caused its orbit to deteriorate faster than predicted. However, LINK began experiencing altitude control issues, leading both agencies to call off rescue efforts.
While the rescue mission was unsuccessful, NASA explained that LINK will still attempt to conduct proximity and rendezvous operations with Swift to gather data for future space exploration. Without further intervention, the observatory will likely re-enter Earth’s atmosphere later this year.
“Katalyst is still flying the spacecraft,” Katalyst Space said in a recent statement. “LINK’s mission is still active.”
NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, shown in this artist’s concept, has orbited Earth for more than 20 years, studying the ever-changing universe. (Credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center Conceptual Image Lab)
Swift has operated as “NASA’s multitool for studying the cosmos” over the last 21 years, studying gamma-ray bursts, collecting data and alerting other facilities about potential follow-up observations. Since Swift does not have its own propulsion system to boost itself to a higher altitude, Katalyst created LINK to help counteract the natural drag effects from Earth’s atmosphere.
NASA’s low-drag operations had been expected to keep Swift above 185 miles until October.
“Below this point, operating the telescope becomes difficult, and the spacecraft’s rate of descent quickly increases,” NASA said in the statement. “With the resumption of science observations, the team anticipates Swift will reach that milestone sometime in the next one to two months.”
Katalyst Space praised LINK’s achievements despite the failed rescue. The spacecraft was created and launched in just nine months, a rapid turn around in spaceflight.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said even with the outcome of rescue mission, it was still worth trying.
“NASA should be willing to move quickly and take smart risks when the potential return is worth it, and that is exactly what we did with this mission,” Isaacman said in a statement. “This is not the outcome we were working toward, but it does not change why this mission was worth attempting. The team moved with extraordinary speed to give Swift a chance to carry out more science while advancing capabilities America will need for satellite servicing in the future. We are going to learn everything we can from LINK’s rendezvous attempt and put those lessons to work on the missions that follow.”
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