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NASA attempts mission to extend life of aging Swift satellite
NASA is preparing a first-of-its-kind mission to extend the life of its aging Swift space telescope by sending a second spacecraft to dock with it and raise its orbit.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA is preparing a first-of-its-kind mission to extend the life of its aging NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory space telescope by sending a second spacecraft to dock with it and raise its orbit.
Swift, which has spent nearly 20 years studying gamma-ray bursts and other cosmic events, is gradually losing altitude because of atmospheric drag.
Why attempt this mission?
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Without intervention, the satellite will eventually re-enter Earth's atmosphere.
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NASA has partnered with space startup Katalyst to launch a servicing spacecraft, known as LINK, that will attempt to rendezvous with Swift, attach to it and boost it into a higher orbit. The mission is considered high risk but could demonstrate a new way to extend the operational lives of satellites.
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Saving NASA Telescope: Swift Observatory gets a push
NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory has been studying gamma rays for over two decades -- but it's falling back to Earth. To extend its lifespan for at least another decade, Katalyst Space Technologies plans to push the satellite higher into orbit in a first-of-its-kind mission. FOX 35 Garrett Wymer talks to Ghonhee Lee, CEO of Katalyst Space Technologies, about their ambitious plan and the coming launch.
Officials said the technology was developed on an accelerated timeline and could be used for future satellite servicing missions if successful.
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The LINK servicing spacecraft will launch into orbit from aboard the Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL rocket, according to NASA. The launch is set for Tuesday, at 6:23 a.m. EDT.
The Source: This story was written based on information shared by NASA.