Swift Telescope Rescue
NASA launches a robot mission to save the falling Swift observatory.
July 5, 2026 · Updated Jul 4, 3:06pm ET
The VergeNASA launched an emergency mission to stop the Swift Observatory from crashing to Earth
ABC NewsLast-minute launch problem delays satellite rescue mission for NASA
New York PostRescue mission launches to save NASA telescope in danger of crashing back to Earth
BBC NewsNasa launches robot to save Swift telescope falling to Earth
World News GroupNASA launches robot rescue of orbital observatory
Washington TimesRescue mission launches to save NASA telescope that’s falling back to Earth
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What happened
Northrop Grumman launched Katalyst Space Technologies
Katalyst Space Technologiesspace services company in Flagstaff, Arizona, United States’ Link spacecraft from the Marshall Islands on Friday, starting a NASA-funded rescue of the Neil Gehrels Swift ObservatoryNeil Gehrels Swift Observatorymission concerning a space observatory in low earth orbit measuring gamma ray radiation. The Pegasus rocket, released from a modified aircraft, reached orbit after a last-minute launch problem delayed the mission. Link is to rendezvous with Swift, grab it with three arms and raise its orbit because the 22-year-old telescope has no propulsion. Swift, launched in 2004, has been pushed lower by solar activity and could reenter Earth’s atmosphere in coming months.
