NASA Partners With Startup for $30 Million Mission to Save Swift Telescope

NASA is launching a robotic rescue mission as early as this week to boost the aging Swift Observatory into a higher orbit and prevent it from falling to Earth

Justin Tomlinson

Editor-in-Chief, Mora Discover

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NASA Partners With Startup for $30 Million Mission to Save Swift Telescope

NASA is preparing to launch a daring $30 million salvage operation as early as this week to prevent the aging Swift telescope from falling back to Earth. The space agency has turned to the private sector for the rescue, hiring the startup company Katalyst Space Technologies to assist in the effort. The mission will begin with the planned launch of a robotic lifesaver designed to reach the spacecraft.[1][2][3]

The primary objective of the Katalyst Space Technologies mission is to boost the Swift Observatory into a higher orbit. By raising its altitude, NASA hopes to extend the operational lifespan of the telescope, allowing it to continue its scientific work of hunting for some of the most massive explosions in the universe.[3]

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