Science & Tech · Space · 5 hrs ago
NASA’s Swift Observatory Reenters Earth’s Atmosphere After Nearly 22 Years
NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory reentered Earth’s atmosphere above North Sumatra, Indonesia, on November 4, ending its nearly 22-year mission.
Launched in 2004, Swift was built to study gamma-ray bursts, extremely powerful explosions in space.
The observatory was expected to last two years, but it continued operating for nearly 22.
Its three telescopes could detect different kinds of light, and Swift could quickly turn toward sudden events and alert other observatories.
That speed helped scientists study brief cosmic events before they faded, including explosions of dying stars and X-ray flares from stars.
Swift also studied active galaxies, comets and asteroids, leaving astronomers with a wide range of observations.
NASA expected most of the spacecraft to burn up during reentry, though some pieces may have survived; the spacecraft’s mission is now over.
NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory reentered Earth’s atmosphere on November 4, ending nearly 22 years in space.
The U.S. Space Force said it entered the atmosphere at 7:39 a.m. EST above North Sumatra, Indonesia.
NASA expected most of the spacecraft to burn up, though some pieces may have survived.
Launched in 2004 for a planned two-year mission, Swift studied gamma-ray bursts and other cosmic events.
Its observations contributed to research on active galaxies, X-ray flares, supernovas, comets and asteroids.
- Who
- NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory reentered the atmosphere.
- What
- The spacecraft returned to Earth, ending its mission. NASA expected most of it to burn up, though some pieces may have survived.
- When
- November 4, at 7:39 a.m. EST.
- Where
- Above North Sumatra, Indonesia.
- Why
- Its mission ended after nearly 22 years in space. It was designed to study gamma-ray bursts and other cosmic phenomena.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Swift launched with a primary mission planned to last two years.
Swift entered Earth’s atmosphere at 7:39 a.m. EST above North Sumatra, Indonesia.
- Mission duration
- Nearly 22 years
- Planned mission
- Two years
- Reentry time
- 7:39 a.m. EST, November 4
- Reentry location
- Above North Sumatra, Indonesia
- Reentry coordinates
- Approximately 3.4 degrees north latitude and 98.6 degrees east longitude