NASA's Plan to Boost the Orbit of Swift Telescope with Private Company

Описание: NASA has announced a plan to extend the life of the Swift space telescope by allowing a private company to send a robotic mission to adjust its orbit. The Neil Gehrels Swift telescope, designed to detect gamma-ray bursts and follow-up observations in X-ray, ultraviolet, and visible light, has been in operation for over 20 years, far exceeding its initial two-year mission. Due to its age and the effects of solar activity, the telescope is gradually losing altitude. NASA initially planned to let Swift deorbit and re-enter Earth's atmosphere like other satellites, but now sees an opportunity to test private robotic orbit adjustment technology. Katalyst Space Technologies, based in Flagstaff, Arizona, has been tasked with this mission. Their robotic servicing spacecraft will dock with Swift, boost its speed, and raise its orbit. This operation, scheduled for spring 2026, will be a significant milestone for space exploration and extend Swift's scientific mission. NASA has awarded Katalyst $30 million under a Phase III Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract, allowing for a faster development timeline to address Swift's rapid orbital decay. While satellite orbital decay is common, a successful mission could extend the lifespan of numerous other projects and open a new market, as government and private agencies have many satellites in orbit. This could further enhance US space leadership by expanding satellite servicing capabilities into new markets.