From Futurism · Victor Tangermann · · 1m
NASA Telescope Careening Down to Earth
NASA's Swift telescope is spiraling toward Earth after failed rescue mission.
In brief
NASA's Swift telescope is spiraling toward Earth after failed rescue mission. NASA's Swift telescope will re-enter Earth's atmosphere in October after a failed rescue mission. Originally reported by Futurism.
Failed rescue mission
NASA launched a robotic spacecraft in July with Katalyst Space Technologies to rescue its aging Swift observatory.
Robot spins uncontrollably
The robot started spinning uncontrollably, causing it to tumble back toward Earth and burn up in the atmosphere.
Swift's orbit decaying
Swift has been circling Earth for over two decades and is now rapidly decaying to 200 miles in orbit.
Reentry timeline
By early to mid-October, Swift could dip below 185 miles, a threshold where spacecraft operations become difficult.
Return to science
Scientists reactivated Swift's Burst Alert Telescope to study gamma ray bursts after conserving power.
Reentry risks
Debris from Swift's reentry is unlikely to cause damage, as it will likely fall into uninhabited areas.
The main idea
NASA's Swift telescope will re-enter Earth's atmosphere in October after a failed rescue mission.
