NASA launches robot to save Swift telescope falling to Earth
8 hours ago
- #satellite_saving
- #space_rescue
- #NASA_mission
- NASA launches a rescue mission called LINK to save the falling Swift observatory.
- Swift detects powerful cosmic explosions but is at risk of crashing to Earth due to increased solar activity causing orbital decay.
- The rescue involves a three-armed robotic spacecraft attempting to grab Swift and lift it to a safe orbit over two to three months.
- Swift, launched in 2004, is considered scientifically special for studying high-energy phenomena like gamma-ray bursts.
- Engineers from Katalyst Space Technologies designed LINK in under a year before Swift becomes unreachable below 186 miles altitude.