NASA has ended plans to raise the ageing Swift telescope’s orbit after its rescue spacecraft developed electrical problems and lost stable control.

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• NASA has abandoned plans to raise the orbit of the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory after its private rescue mission failed.
• The Swift Boost mission was contracted to Arizona-based aerospace company Katalyst Space in 2025 at a cost of $30 million.
• The rescue spacecraft, named LINK, launched on July 3 with the objective of reaching Swift and moving it into a higher orbit.
• Electrical problems affected two systems controlling LINK’s orientation in late July, causing the spacecraft to begin spinning uncontrollably.
• NASA announced on August 19 that the original rescue objective would no longer be pursued because of the spacecraft’s technical problems.
• The ageing Swift Observatory is now expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere later this year after the unsuccessful rescue attempt.
• The mission was designed to extend Swift’s operational life by moving the telescope into a higher orbit around Earth.
• NASA said the failed outcome does not change the value of attempting the mission, highlighting the risks involved in complex space operations.