Swift Boost Mission: NASA Extends Life of Telescope [Live: 30.06.26; 12:23 UTC]
NASA has contracted Katalyst Space of Flagstaff, Arizona, to raise the orbit of its sinking Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory.
Swift is NASA’s versatile astrophysics satellite, capable of observing cosmic events across visible, ultraviolet, X-ray, and gamma-ray wavelengths. It is best known for its rapid response to gamma-ray bursts. The observatory was launched on November 20, 2004.
This June, Katalyst’s LINK robotic servicing spacecraft will launch aboard a Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL rocket. Following launch, LINK will rendezvous with Swift, capture it, and gradually raise its orbit over the course of several months.
NASA awarded the contract to Katalyst in September 2025, giving the company less than one year to design, build, test, and launch the servicing mission.
This operation demonstrates in-orbit satellite servicing and life-extension capabilities, offering a more sustainable alternative to allowing the observatory to re-enter the atmosphere.
Comparison to Selected Small-Lift Launch Vehicles
| Rocket | Height (m) | Diameter (m) | Payload to LEO/SSO (kg) | Est. Cost per Launch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pegasus XL | 17.6 | 1.15 | 443 (LEO) | ~$40 million |
| Spectrum | 28 | 2 | 700 | ~$12 million |
| Firefly Alpha | 29 | 1.8 | 630 | ~$15–18 million |
| Electron (Rocket Lab) | 18 | 1.2 | 200–300 | ~$8 million |
Pegasus XL is an air-launched rocket system, historically based on technologies related to the Minotaur-C family.
Sources
Livestream
TBD
Useful links to stay up to date on launches:
Next Spaceflight nextspaceflight.com
NASA Spaceflight nasaspacefight.com