NASA launched the Swift Boost mission to rescue the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory from orbital decay. The robotic spacecraft, LINK, will elevate the observatory's orbit, extending its operational life by about a decade.
NASA's Swift Boost mission successfully launched from the Marshall Islands on July 3, 2023. The mission aims to rescue the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, which is falling faster than expected due to increased solar activity.
The robotic spacecraft LINK was designed by Katalyst Space and launched attached to a Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL rocket. This unique launch method involved a plane, Stargazer, releasing the rocket in mid-air at approximately 40,000 feet.
After launch, ground teams established communication with LINK, marking the mission's first objective as achieved. LINK will undergo health checks over the next few weeks to ensure its systems are operating correctly before proceeding to the observatory.
LINK is expected to dock with the Swift observatory, using its three robotic arms to pull it to an altitude of around 370 miles. This maneuver could extend the life of the observatory by another decade and will take approximately 10 to 12 weeks to complete.
The Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory has been crucial in studying gamma ray bursts for over two decades. It has contributed to understanding the origins of heavy elements in the universe and serves as a key tool in astronomical research.
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NASA launched the Swift Boost mission to rescue the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory from orbital decay. The robotic spacecraft, LINK, will elevate the observatory's orbit, extending its operational life by about a decade.