NASA Swift Observatory ends 22-year scientific mission

The Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory has officially concluded its scientific mission after nearly 22 years of operation. The spacecraft ceased observations on October 20, 2026, as its orbit decayed to less than 275 kilometers above Earth. At this altitude, increased atmospheric drag prevented the telescopes from maintaining the stability required to target astronomical objects.

Originally designed for a two-year primary mission, Swift operated for more than ten times its intended duration. During its tenure, the observatory observed over 2,000 gamma-ray bursts, studied more than 1,400 supernova explosions, and monitored active galaxies, asteroids, and comets. Its data has contributed to approximately 7,000 scientific publications.

The spacecraft is expected to re-enter Earth's atmosphere within the coming weeks. NASA officials noted that the mission's extensive archive of multiwavelength observations will continue to support astronomical research and new discoveries for decades.