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Swift Observatory

All articles tagged with #swift observatory

space-exploration2 days ago•73 min saved

NASA taps private mission to re-boost the Swift space telescope

NASA is funding a fast-paced, private mission by Katalyst Space Technologies’ Link to rendezvous with the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory in low Earth orbit and raise its altitude to counter atmospheric drag. Swift, launched in 2004 to detect gamma-ray bursts, is still operational but decaying in orbit, and weekly trajectory predictions will guide Link’s maneuvers. The goal is to keep Swift around 185 miles (about 300 km) above Earth into early fall, with a $30 million contract and a June Pegasus rocket launch planned. Success depends on precise tracking amid space weather, but if all goes well Swift could be boosted back to a more favorable orbit rather than deorbiting.

via Space|

#nasa #private-spaceflight #satellite-servicing

space18 days ago•9 min saved

NASA Hatches High-Stakes Rescue Plan to Save the Swift Space Telescope

NASA is racing to rescue the aging Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory by docking a private servicing spacecraft, Link, and boosting its orbit before atmospheric drag ends the mission; Link has completed environmental testing at Goddard Space Flight Center. The plan hinges on a quick Pegasus XL launch to reach Swift in a time-sensitive operation that could extend the telescope’s science life and demonstrate rapid, commercial satellite servicing.

via The Daily Galaxy|

#nasa #orbit-raising #satellite-servicing

space22 days ago•4 min saved

Robotic boost to save NASA's Swift observatory from reentry

NASA greenlit a rapid, high-risk mission to save the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory by docking with it using Katalyst Space Technologies’ Link servicing spacecraft and boosting its orbit. After completing environmental testing at NASA Goddard, Link will undergo final checks ahead of a June launch on Northrop Grumman’s Pegasus XL, with deployment from an L-1011 aircraft. Swift, launched in 2004, is decaying in orbit and would likely re-enter later in 2026 without intervention; the plan is to extend Swift’s life by lifting it to a higher orbit, leveraging commercial tech and a new class of satellite servicing.

via Spaceflight Now|

#nasa #orbital-boost #pegasus-xl

space-and-spaceflight3 months ago•15 min saved

NASA Puts Swift Observatory on Pause to Prevent Reentry, Seeks Rescue Mission

NASA has paused most Swift Observatory science operations to reduce atmospheric drag and slow its orbital decay, as the 21-year-old gamma-ray telescope faces a rising risk of uncontrolled reentry by mid-2026. To extend its life, NASA awarded a $30 million contract to Katalyst Space Technologies for a rescue mission to rendezvous with Swift and boost its orbit, with a launch aimed for June to keep the spacecraft above about 185 miles in altitude. The Burst Alert Telescope will still detect gamma-ray bursts, while other telescopes remain on hold to minimize drag.

via Gizmodo|

#atmospheric-drag #gamma-ray-bursts #orbital-decay

science-and-technology8 months ago•2 min saved

NASA and SpaceX Cancel ISS Reboost Mission

NASA attempted to reboost the International Space Station using SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft, but the mission was aborted due to a fuel swap issue, highlighting the challenges of maintaining orbit after the retirement of older spacecraft. Meanwhile, NASA is actively working to extend the life of the Swift observatory, which is at risk of uncontrolled reentry due to atmospheric drag, by contracting Katalyst Space Technologies for a rapid robotic rescue mission. The efforts underscore the importance of innovative solutions for space station and satellite maintenance amid evolving space capabilities.

via theregister.com|

#iss #nasa #reboost

science8 months ago•3 min saved

Private Company to Reboost NASA's Swift Space Telescope in 2026

A private company, Katalyst Space Technologies, will launch a spacecraft in 2026 to boost NASA's Swift Observatory's orbit, marking the first time a private craft has serviced a U.S. government satellite, aiming to extend the telescope's operational life and enhance its gamma-ray burst research capabilities.

via Space|

#2026-mission #nasa #orbital-boost

science9 months ago•1 min saved

NASA Seeks Ideas to Elevate Swift's Orbit

NASA is seeking suggestions to raise the orbit of the Swift Observatory, launched in 2004, which is at risk of re-entry due to orbital decay. The agency is exploring commercial technologies, including Starfish Space's inspection tech, to boost Swift's altitude and extend its mission, potentially setting a precedent for preserving other LEO assets.

via Hackaday|

#leo #nasa #orbit-boost

science9 months ago•3 min saved

NASA Considers Private Partners to Extend Swift Observatory's Mission

NASA is exploring options to extend the life of the Swift Observatory by developing a potential orbit boost, amid concerns about its orbital decay and upcoming end of mission due to budget cuts and solar activity. The agency has engaged two companies to study reboost concepts, which could also benefit other spacecraft like the Hubble Telescope. The project aims to demonstrate innovative in-space servicing technologies and maintain American leadership in space science.

via theregister.com|

#nasa #orbit-boost #science

space2 years ago•4 min saved

"NASA Halts Swift Gamma-Ray Space Telescope Operations"

NASA has temporarily suspended science observations by the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory due to the deteriorating performance of one of its gyroscopes. The space telescope, which studies gamma-ray bursts, was placed into safe mode on March 15, and its onboard flight software needs a patch to operate properly in two-gyroscope mode. Despite this setback, Swift has made significant discoveries in its almost 20 years of operation, including the detection of the "Brightest Of All Time" gamma-ray burst and a black hole in a distant galaxy. Scientists are eager for the pioneering space telescope to resume operations and reveal new high-energy aspects of the universe.

via Space.com|

#astrophysics #gamma-ray-bursts #nasa

spacescience2 years ago•2 min saved

"NASA's Patch to Resolve Swift's Gyro Issue"

NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory has entered safe mode due to degradation in one of its three gyroscopes, requiring a software update to continue with two remaining gyros. The spacecraft, launched in 2004, studies gamma-ray bursts and is facing an uncertain future, with extended mission operations only running through FY2025. The spacecraft's instruments include the Burst Alert Telescope, X-ray telescope, and Ultraviolet/Optical telescope. NASA is working on a patch to address the gyro issue, but science operations are expected to be limited until the patch is successfully deployed.

via The Register|

#gamma-ray-bursts #gyro-issue #nasa