Archive · 21 Aug 2026
NASA Abandons Swift Telescope Rescue After Booster Mission Fails
NASA tried to save an aging space telescope called Swift.
The plan was to send a spacecraft named LINK to meet Swift.
LINK would then push the telescope into a higher orbit so it could keep working longer.
The mission cost $30 million and launched on July 3.
In late July, electrical problems damaged two systems that helped LINK point in the right direction.
LINK began spinning instead of safely approaching Swift.
NASA said on August 19 that it would not continue the rescue attempt.
Swift is now expected to fall back into Earth’s atmosphere later this year.
NASA will stop pursuing its plan to raise the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory into a higher orbit.
The $30 million Swift Boost mission was contracted to Arizona-based Katalyst Space in 2025.
Katalyst Space’s LINK rescue spacecraft launched on July 3 to rendezvous with Swift.
Electrical problems in late July disrupted two systems controlling LINK’s orientation, causing it to spin uncontrollably.
NASA announced on August 19 that Swift is expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere later this year.
- Who
- NASA, Katalyst Space, and the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory were involved.
- What
- NASA abandoned the effort to boost the Swift telescope after the LINK rescue spacecraft developed control problems.
- When
- LINK launched on July 3; the problems occurred in late July, and NASA announced the decision on August 19.
- Where
- The mission involved spacecraft in orbit around Earth; Katalyst Space is based in Arizona.
- Why
- The rescue spacecraft’s orientation systems suffered electrical problems, causing it to spin uncontrollably and preventing the planned boost.
- Mission
- Swift Boost
- Cost
- $30 million
- Contractor
- Katalyst Space
- Rescue spacecraft
- LINK
- Launch date
- July 3
- NASA decision
- The original rescue objective was abandoned on August 19
- Expected outcome
- Swift is set to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere later this year