NASA Initiates Urgent Mission to Save Swift Observatory From Plunge

WHO:

The Verge - NASA, Katalyst Space Technologies, Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory

WHAT:

The Verge - NASA launched an emergency mission to stop the Swift Observatory from crashing to Earth.

The Verge - The Link spacecraft was launched with the goal of intercepting Swift and boosting its orbit.

The Verge - Swift is currently circling at an altitude of 224 miles, and Link aims to raise that by about 150 miles.

The Verge - The mission cost $30 million and took nine months to prepare.

WHERE:

The Verge - Swift Observatory is in low Earth orbit.

WHEN:

The Verge - Swift is in danger of burning up in Earth’s atmosphere as soon as this year.

The Verge - NASA required the mission to be completed before October.

WHY:

The Verge - Recent solar storms have pushed Swift's orbit lower, endangering its survival.

HOW:

The Verge - Katalyst Space Technologies is using a three-armed spacecraft to lift Swift 150 miles higher into orbit.

(UPDATED July 5, 2026 01:29 UTC)

NASA has launched an emergency mission to prevent the Swift Observatory from crashing to Earth, with the Link spacecraft designed to intercept Swift and boost its orbit. Currently circling at an altitude of 224 miles, Swift is at risk of burning up in Earth's atmosphere as soon as this year due to recent solar storms that have lowered its orbit. The mission, which cost $30 million and took nine months to prepare, aims to raise Swift's altitude by about 150 miles using a three-armed spacecraft developed by Katalyst Space Technologies, and it must be completed before October.