NASA to launch robotic mission to rescue Swift space telescope

NASA has awarded Katalyst Space Technologies a contract to boost the low‑Earth‑orbiting Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, whose altitude is dropping due to increased atmospheric drag from heightened solar activity. Katalyst will launch its LINK robotic servicing spacecraft on a Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL rocket, targeting a June launch. The robot will autonomously rendezvous with Swift, grasp it with lidar‑guided robotic arms, and use Hall‑thrusters to raise the satellite’s orbit to at least 300 km, extending its operational life.

The mission marks the first targeted correction of an unscheduled satellite using service‑type robotics. NASA analysts are modelling Swift’s decay, which could lead to re‑entry as early as 2026 without intervention. Adjustments to Swift’s own instruments have already been made to reduce drag while the rescue mission is prepared.