Why the rescue of the Swift space telescope ended in failure

NASA's Swift space telescope is concluding its nearly 22-year mission. An attempt by the private company Katalyst to raise its orbit failed due to technical malfunctions. The telescope is currently at an altitude of 325 km, and data collection will cease when the altitude drops below 300 km, expected in the first half of October.

NASA's legendary Swift space telescope, launched on November 20, 2004, to study gamma-ray bursts, is concluding its nearly 22-year mission. Originally designed for two years of operation, the spacecraft lasted significantly longer, but its orbit began to steadily decay. In the fall of 2025, calculations showed a 50% probability of it falling to Earth by the end of 2026. To save it, NASA brought in the private company Katalyst, but the rescue vehicle failed due to uncontrolled rotation of its flywheels. Swift is currently at an altitude of 325 km, and scientists predict data collection will cease when the altitude falls below 300 km, expected in the first half of October. The scientific team decided to end the mission spectacularly by activating the instruments in August and September to record new cosmic explosions.