NASA mulls rescue rocket to boost Swift observatory’s orbit • The Register

NASA is seeking solutions for a way to raise the orbit of the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory despite the spacecraft being marked for termination after FY2026 under the agency’s budget proposal.

The possible impending demise of the spacecraft, coupled with faster-than-expected orbital decay due to additional atmospheric drag caused by solar activity, makes Swift an ideal candidate for the potential project.

NASA has selected two American companies – Cambrian Works of Reston, Virginia, and Katalyst Space Technologies of Flagstaff, Arizona – to develop concept design studies for a possible orbit boost. That said, the agency doesn’t have firm plans for a reboost and could still allow the spacecraft to re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere, “as many satellites do at the end of their lifetimes.”

A boost could extend Swift’s lifetime, although the probe, which was launched in 2004 on a planned two-year mission, is showing signs of age. Last year, the spacecraft dropped into safe mode after one of its three remaining gyroscopes began showing signs of degradation. Engineers were able to keep the science flowing by implementing a plan developed in 2009 to operate using just two gyros. The gyros are required to ensure Swift is pointed correctly.

However, engineers do not have a solution for the increasing atmospheric drag that will eventually result in the spacecraft re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere where it will be destroyed. Nor do they have a solution for the potential budget cuts that result in the end of operations after FY2026.

“NASA Science is committed to leveraging commercial technologies to find innovative, cost-effective ways to open new capabilities for the future of the American space sector,” said Nicky Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters in Washington. “To maintain Swift’s role in our portfolio, NASA Science is uniquely positioned to conduct a rare in-space technology demonstration to raise the satellite’s orbit and solidify American leadership in spacecraft servicing.”

There are existing options for spacecraft servicing. Northrop Grumman, for example, has its Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV), which was used to extend the life of an Intelsat Satellite.

Swift is a three-telescope observatory for studying gamma-ray bursts. The principal investigator for the project was Neil Gehrels, for whom the mission was named after his death.

NASA has other spacecraft that would benefit from a reboost to extend their useful lives. The Hubble Space Telescope springs to mind, a rescue of which was proposed by former NASA administrator nominee, Jared Isaacman, but was eventually rejected. If Swift could be saved, then perhaps the Hubble could be next in line?

The Register asked NASA if this was a possibility, as well as how much time remained for a reboost of Swift.

In a statement, a A NASA spokesperson said that Swift would likely enter the Earth’s atmosphere by late 2026 due to increased solar activity. “NASA continually tracks Swift to improve estimates of its orbital decay.”

The spokesperson was unable to comment on the FY2026 budget – it has yet to be enacted – however they said, “NASA is committed to advancing the development of key industry capabilities for the United States, and takeaways from these concept studies will help inform agency discussions about the future of its space telescopes.

“There is time for the agency to consider an even broader set of commercial solutions for a potential Hubble boost, and the range of technical solutions would also be broader, as Hubble was designed to be serviced.” ®