NASA to Save the Swift Telescope from Falling: Unprecedented Mission in 2026.

According to ТСН: NASA has announced an incredible mission planned for 2026: to prevent the large space telescope Swift from falling to Earth, as its orbit is rapidly declining.

The agency confirmed that the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory is losing altitude rapidly, and if no action is taken, it could fall out of orbit by the end of 2026. This telescope, which has been investigating gamma radiation in low Earth orbit for over two decades, is currently at risk of uncontrolled re-entry into the atmosphere.

NASA's Actions to Save the Telescope

To avoid the telescope's fall, NASA proposed an unusual solution: to change its orbit using a specialized robotic device. Katalyst Space Technologies has been engaged to carry out this mission, planning to launch a rocket from a plane and deliver a space 'robot' corrector to Swift.

Katalyst will use a modified L-1011 Stargazer passenger plane from Northrop Grumman. The plane will lift the Pegasus XL rocket to an altitude of 39,000 feet and drop it during flight.

After that, the rocket will ignite its engines, reach orbit, and deliver the robotic device to the location of Swift. When the robot approaches the telescope, it will be able to capture it and raise it to a 'more stable orbit,' the company notes.

'Given how quickly Swift's orbit is decreasing, we are racing against time, but by using commercial technologies that are already under development, we are directly taking on this challenge,' emphasized Acting Director of NASA's Astrophysics Division Sean Domagal-Goldman.

Technologies and Launch Preparation

Katalyst's CEO, Hongyi Li, highlighted that the Pegasus XL is 'the only launch vehicle capable of providing the appropriate orbit, schedule, and cost' for this unique mission utilizing cutting-edge technologies.

Northrop Grumman's Director of Space Launches Kurt Eberly noted that all necessary systems are already prepared.

'We have to conduct final integration and testing, as well as develop the trajectory, guidance system, and software for managing the ascent through the ascending node — and that's basically it,' Eberly said.

This mission is extremely complex, and the launch is planned for June next year, while Swift has not descended too low and started uncontrolled falling.

This will be the first time a private spacecraft is involved in saving a government unmanned satellite, as NASA usually develops such projects over years.

'We see the launch date as a firm commitment. We will constantly assess the state of Swift's orbit and determine what adaptations the mission may require — whether a launch to a different altitude or adjustments to the deployment parameters,' said Katalyst Vice President for Technology Kiran Wilson.

Additionally, a new study from the University of Maryland showed that the results of NASA's DART mission (the collision with the asteroid Dimorphos in 2022) turned out to be more complicated than expected. Although the asteroid's orbit changed by 33 minutes, Dimorphos ricocheted, went off-axis, and scattered debris in unexpected directions, making this method less reliable for protecting the planet from asteroid threats.

The fight to preserve the Swift telescope is important not only for science but also for demonstrating the capabilities of the private sector in space technologies. This mission could represent a new phase in the collaboration between government agencies and commercial companies, opening new pathways for space exploration. Meanwhile, NASA's DART research highlights the complexities involved in protecting the planet from asteroid threats, emphasizing the importance of refining strategies in this area.