NASA Plans Satellite Rescue to Prevent Swift Crash
NASA has launched a ₹283.8 crore ($30 million) mission to prevent its ageing Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory from falling out of orbit and potentially crashing towards Earth. The observatory, operational since 2004, is gradually losing altitude due to increased atmospheric drag, prompting an innovative rescue effort to extend its lifespan. About the Swift Observatory The Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory is a key space telescope under NASA’s Medium Explorer (MIDEX) programme. Launched in 2004 into low- Earth orbit, it has played a crucial role in detecting gamma-ray bursts—extremely powerful cosmic explosions. Equipped with multiple instruments, including a Burst Alert Telescope, it enables rapid observation of high-energy astronomical events and contributes significantly to astrophysics research. Why the Satellite is Falling The observatory is slowly descending due to increased solar activity, which heats and expands Earth’s upper atmosphere. This expansion creates greater atmosphe...