NASA's Swift Observatory plunged to Earth on Wednesday, concluding a 22-year mission that investigated cosmic explosions. The US Space Force confirmed the satellite's reentry near Indonesia, attributing its sinking orbit to increased solar activity over recent years.
The demise of the 1.5-ton spacecraft followed a failed rescue attempt by a private company. Katalyst Space's robotic craft, launched in July, encountered issues and crashed in September, unable to perform its intended orbit-boosting maneuver.
Launched in 2004, the Swift Observatory was initially designed for a two-year study of gamma-ray bursts and exploding stars. Over its mission, which far exceeded its planned duration, Swift observed thousands of such events. It also served as a rapid responder for other telescopes, enabling deeper observations of cosmic phenomena.
NASA is currently assessing industry interest in potential missions to support the Hubble Space Telescope, which is also experiencing orbital decay due to solar storms. While Hubble is not expected to reenter until the mid-2030s, NASA is exploring options for orbit boosting, system upgrades, or a controlled reentry, with any such mission needing to occur by 2032. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson stated that the agency is examining "every reasonable opportunity to keep it delivering for as long as possible."