Flagstaff Rescue Fails: Swift Observatory Headed for Fiery Reentry
TL;DR Summary
Flagstaff-based Katalyst Space Technologies canceled its Link rescue mission for NASA’s Swift Observatory after Link could not be controlled to capture or boost the telescope; Swift will reenter the atmosphere later this year, with NASA not expecting the demise before October. NASA paid about $30 million for the attempt, and Katalyst will continue to operate Link nearby to demonstrate proximity operations for future rescues. Had the mission succeeded, Hubble could have been next, but its status remains unclear.
- NASA telescope doomed after Flagstaff company’s rescue attempt fails AZ Family
- Rescue mission can’t prevent NASA observatory from falling to Earth CNN
- NASA-Funded Mission to Rescue a Falling Space Telescope Officially Ends in Failure Smithsonian Magazine
- NASA’s Attempt to Save Its Falling Telescope Has Failed The New York Times
- NASA Updates Next Steps for Commercial Swift Boost Mission NASA (.gov)
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