NASA's Swift space telescope has resumed science operations after a rescue mission failed to keep it in orbit, according to Space.
The satellite, which has been studying gamma-ray bursts and other cosmic phenomena for decades, restarted its observations on August 31, 2026. The restart comes after an attempted reboost by a servicing spacecraft from Katalyst Space did not go as planned, SpaceNews reports.
Swift had been gradually losing altitude due to atmospheric drag, a process that would eventually cause it to burn up in Earth's atmosphere. NASA had approved a plan to use a Katalyst Space reboost spacecraft to push the telescope to a higher, more stable orbit, according to Universe Today.
The rescue mission failed, but the telescope is nonetheless back to work. NASA's Swift team confirmed the resumption of science observations in a statement, per NASA Science.
The situation highlights the challenges of satellite servicing. Katalyst Space, which built the reboost vehicle, said it intends to use lessons from the Swift mission to improve future spacecraft designed to extend the lives of other satellites, according to SpaceNews.
What remains unclear is how long Swift can continue operating given its orbital situation. The telescope's science team will likely monitor its trajectory closely, and the failed reboost could inform how NASA and commercial partners approach similar rescue attempts for other aging spacecraft in the future.
