NASA has called off its plan to rescue the Swift space observatory, a gamma-ray burst hunter operating since 2004. The agency had intended to use the LINK probe, built by Katalyst Space Technologies, to capture Swift with robotic arms and boost it to a safer orbit. Problems with LINK’s attitude control system forced NASA to abandon the attempt.
Swift’s orbit has been decaying faster than expected due to increased solar activity in 2024, which expanded Earth’s upper atmosphere and amplified drag. Without intervention, the telescope was projected to reenter the atmosphere before the end of 2026. The rescue mission was a high-risk effort to extend Swift’s lifespan, despite the observatory never being designed for capture or repair.
LINK will still perform rendezvous and close-proximity demonstrations to gather data for future satellite servicing missions. NASA administrator Jared Isaacman acknowledged the outcome while emphasizing the mission’s broader value in advancing orbital servicing capabilities. Swift’s eventual reentry remains uncertain, with NASA estimating it will occur before year’s end.
