Inside NASA’s plan to save a $500M space telescope in orbit

The next Swift comeback tour won't require a battle with Ticketmaster, but rather a state-of-the-art $30 million spacecraft and rocket launch.

NASA is preparing to launch a first-of-its-kind robotic rescue mission to save its Swift Observatory, a $500 million space telescope that’s currently falling back down to earth after 20 years in orbit.

• Recent solar activity has increased atmospheric drag on the aging spacecraft, and because it wasn't built with thrusters or designed to be serviced, it can't raise its own orbit.
• If left alone, the space telescope is projected to burn up in Earth's atmosphere later this year.

But NASA won’t let that happen without a fight

The space agency’s mission centers around a robotic servicing spacecraft called LINK, which is set to launch into space as early as 4:09 am CT this morning.

• After several weeks of testing, LINK will approach Swift, grab the telescope using three robotic arms, and use ion thrusters to slowly raise Swift’s altitude and prevent it from re-entering Earth’s atmosphere.
• The entire rescue mission is expected to cost NASA around $30 million.

History in the making: If LINK successfully captures Swift, it would mark the first time a commercial spacecraft has docked with and rescued a government satellite that was never designed to be serviced. This capability could one day help extend the lives of other aging satellites and spacecraft, instead of replacing them.

Looking ahead…NASA expects the rendezvous, capture, and gradual process of raising Swift’s orbit to unfold over the next several months.