1 June 2026 2018, NASA plans to launch a unique mission to save the Swift space telescope. The National Administration concluded a contract with the startup Katalyst Space (is engaged in the maintenance of satellites), which involves launching a special tug, which will dock with Swift and raise its orbital altitude. For this, Katalyst Space will receive 30 millions of dollars.
Starting with 2004 year, the telescope studied gamma-ray bursts: the brightest electromagnetic events in the universe, which can occur during the fusion of neutron stars, black holes or the collapse of giant stars.
Initially, Swift was in a 600-kilometer orbit. Later, due to inhibition by the upper layers of the atmosphere, its height gradually decreased. Since the telescope does not have its own engines, he could not oppose this process. To the beginning 2026 year, the height of its orbit decreased to 412 km.
The rescue mission will go into space on a Pegasus XL rocket. The success of the mission could pave the way for launching tugs to other telescopes. The main candidate is Hubble, which 1990 year watching the stars, galaxies, nebulae and other space objects. The height of its orbit also gradually decreases due to the lack of engines. According to forecasts, it may fall to Earth as early as the beginning of the next decade.
Source: https://universemagazine.com