Swift Observatory Back in Action as Private Boost Mission Fails and Orbit Decays
NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory has resumed two of its three science instruments (XRT and UVOT) after a private rescue mission aimed at boosting its orbit failed; the Burst Alert Telescope remains offline. NASA abandoned the orbital-boost plan following attitude-control issues with LINK, and Swift now relies on low-drag operations. With no propulsion to counter atmospheric drag, its orbit is decaying and is expected to reach a critical altitude in 1–2 months, likely resulting in reentry and burn-up later this year, though the telescope will continue to observe the cosmos until then.