NASA has launched an historic mission to stabilize the orbit of the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, a veteran space telescope launched in 2004 that has studied gamma-ray bursts and other cosmic phenomena, according to multiple sources. The observatory’s orbit is decaying faster than expected due to increased solar activity and atmospheric drag.

Swift’s Scientific Legacy and Current Crisis

The Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory—formerly known as Swift,has been monitoring gamma-ray bursts for over two decades; it is equipped with three instruments for observations in the gamma-ray, X-ray, ultraviolet, and visible spectrums. The Burst Alert Telescope continuously scans the sky for high-energy events such as the collapse of massive stars or the merging of neutron stars; In 2018, the mission was renamed in honor of astrophysicist Neil Gehrels, who played a key role in its development, according to igor´sLAB.

However, in recent months, NASA has largely suspended the telescope’s scientific operations to focus on a rescue mission — the observatory’s altitude has dropped to less than 400 kilometers, and without intervention, it risks burning up in the atmosphere. As of November 2025, there was a 50 percent chance the telescope would re-enter by June 2026 and a 90 percent chance by 2027, according to IFLScience.

Rescue Mission and Testing Phase

To prevent this, NASA has partnered with Katalyst, a private space company, to develop a robotic spacecraft named LINK. This mission is the first of its kind,no spacecraft has ever been sent to lift another satellite to a safer orbit. NASA awarded Katalyst $30 million to build the spacecraft, which is currently undergoing testing at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. As of April 14, the testing phase was ongoing, according to IFLScience.

The telescope is currently in a precarious situation due to the current solar cycle, which peaked in October 2024. Solar activity has caused Earth’s upper atmosphere to expand, increasing atmospheric drag for satellites in low Earth orbit. This has accelerated the decline of Swift’s orbit, according to igor´sLAB.

SpaceX and the Broader Space Mission Area

While the Swift mission is a singular effort to preserve a scientific asset, SpaceX is simultaneously preparing to launch nearly 30 Starlink satellites. The launch window for this mission is from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. ET, with a 95 percent chance of favorable weather conditions, according to Spectrum Noticias. SpaceX is reusing a first-stage booster, B1077, which has completed numerous missions, including crewed flights and Starlink deployments.

Once deployed, the new satellites will help expand Starlink’s global internet coverage. The launch is expected to take place off the coast of the Bahamas, with the booster landing on the droneship Just Read the Instructions. Meanwhile, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics’ Dr. Jonathan McDowell continues to track the number of Starlink satellites in orbit.

The Swift rescue mission highlights the increasing complexity of space operations, as aging satellites face challenges from atmospheric drag and solar activity. NASA’s efforts to extend the life of the observatory show the importance of maintaining key scientific instruments in orbit, even as new technologies like Starlink expand access to space-based services.