NASA cancels $30 million Swift rescue mission after altitude control issues

NASA disclosed that the multimillion-dollar mission to boost the orbit of the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory has been called off because the LINK spacecraft could not be kept at the required altitude. Launched last month in partnership with Katalyst Space Technologies, the probe will nonetheless attempt a close approach to test readiness for later satellite-servicing tasks. Administrator Jared Isaacman emphasized that the effort still provided valuable experience for future operations.

Swift, launched in 2004 to study gamma-ray bursts, has exceeded its planned two-year lifespan and has been orbiting at roughly 216 miles above Earth after its instruments were shut down to slow decay. NASA expects the telescope to reenter Earth’s atmosphere before the year ends and is exploring ways to fill the scientific gap it will leave. Katalyst CEO Ghonhee Lee described the project as a high-risk, high-reward venture that yielded significant lessons.