NASA calls off risky mission to save falling satellite

A spacecraft built by Katalyst Space launched in July with the goal of boosting the orbit of NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, but it suffered control issues after launch

The Swift space telescope, which studies the most powerful explosions in the universe, was unable to be saved and will now likely plunge back to earth and disintegrate along the way later this year.

The Swift space telescope, which studies the most powerful explosions in the universe, was unable to be saved and will now likely plunge back to earth and disintegrate along the way later this year.

The space agency’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, which studied cataclysmic cosmic explosions, is expected to burn up in Earth’s atmosphere later this year

NASA had hoped to prevent its Swift observatory from breaking apart in Earth’s atmosphere. But the spacecraft tasked with the rescue hit problems.

The mission to save NASA’s sinking Swift Observatory was called off Wednesday, dooming the telescope to a fiery reentry later this year.

A NASA mission to save the Swift space telescope from burning up has failed. Learn why the satellite rescue mission could not be controlled.

NASA’s Swift Observatory, which studies some of the most powerful explosions in the universe, is expected to burn up in the atmosphere.

A rendering of the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory. Image: NASA NASA is calling off a mission to save a space observatory falling out of orbit, dooming it to a fiery death in Earth's atmosphere." Why it matters: The Swift Boost Mission was an ambitious attempt to rescue the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory and demonstrate

NASA and startup company call off rescue mission to save aging space telescope