NASA has launched a pioneering mission to save one of its longest-serving space observatories from re-entering Earth’s atmosphere, marking the first attempt to capture and reposition an active telescope that was never designed for in-orbit servicing.
The agency-funded mission will see a robotic spacecraft known as LINK rendezvous with the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory and gradually raise its orbit, allowing the telescope to continue studying some of the universe’s most powerful cosmic explosions.
Swift, launched in 2004, has spent more than two decades observing gamma-ray bursts, supernovae and other high-energy events that help scientists understand the evolution of the universe. However, increased solar activity has expanded Earth’s upper atmosphere, creating drag that has steadily pulled the spacecraft closer to Earth.
Originally orbiting at about 600 kilometres (373 miles) above Earth, Swift has descended to around 360 kilometres (220 miles), with much of the drop occurring over the past two years. If its altitude falls below roughly 300 kilometres, experts say a recovery mission would become nearly impossible.
To prevent that from happening, Arizona-based Katalyst Space Technologies developed the LINK spacecraft in less than a year under a NASA-funded programme. The compact robotic vehicle, equipped with three robotic arms, cameras, sensors and precision thrusters, launched on Friday and is expected to spend several weeks preparing for its rendezvous.
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Before attempting the capture, LINK will gradually approach Swift, inspect the observatory from multiple angles and identify the safest points for attachment. Because Swift was never built to be serviced in space, engineers must proceed with extreme caution during the docking operation.
“The Swift telescope was never designed to be caught in space and have its orbit changed,” said Dr Simeon Barber, Senior Research Fellow at the Open University.
“The rescue craft is going to approach it very slowly and attach itself to the telescope.”
If the docking is successful, LINK will use its thrusters to slowly lift Swift back toward its original operating altitude over a period of several months, extending the observatory’s operational life.
“It will be a very slow, graceful lift, not a sudden boost to a higher orbit,” Barber added.
Scientists say preserving Swift is important because the observatory remains one of the world’s most effective instruments for detecting gamma-ray bursts, which release enormous amounts of energy in just seconds and provide valuable insights into the early universe.
The mission is regarded as one of the most ambitious commercial satellite-servicing operations ever attempted. Success could pave the way for future missions to repair, refuel, or reposition ageing spacecraft, including potentially extending the life of the Hubble Space Telescope.
Although the mission carries significant technical risks, researchers believe the potential scientific rewards make the attempt worthwhile, as Swift continues to provide unique observations that few other space telescopes can match.
