NASA satellite rescue mission fails, swift telescope set to fall to earth
Summary
NASA tried to save its Swift space telescope with a $30 million mission using a robot spacecraft, but the rescue failed because the robot could not be controlled. As a result, the Swift telescope will likely fall back to Earth and burn up later this year.Key Facts
- The mission aimed to move the Swift telescope to a higher orbit to extend its life.
- The rescue spacecraft was built by American startup Katalyst and launched on July 3 from an airplane by a small rocket called Pegasus.
- Shortly after launch, the rescue spacecraft spun out of control for 72 hours and lost communication.
- NASA and Katalyst stopped the rescue effort due to ongoing control problems with the spacecraft.
- The Swift telescope was launched in 2004 to study powerful explosions in space called gamma-ray bursts.
- NASA hopes to learn from this mission to improve future satellite rescue efforts.
- The Swift telescope is expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere and break apart later this year.
- NASA officials said the attempt was important even though it failed, as it advanced technology for satellite servicing.
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