NASA launched an emergency mission to stop the Swift Observatory from crashing to Earth
Summary
NASA has launched an emergency mission with Katalyst Space Technologies to raise the orbit of the Swift Observatory, which is in danger of burning up in Earth's atmosphere due to recent solar storms.
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<img alt="Engineers from Katalyst Space Technologies in Flagstaff, Ariz., stabilize their LINK robotic servicing spacecraft as it moves into a vibration chamber at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., on April 15, 2026. The vibration chamber simulated the intense shaking LINK will experience during launch." data-caption="Engineers from Katalyst Space Technologies testing Link. | Image: NASA/Scott Wiessinger" data-portal-copyright="Image: NASA/Scott Wiessinger" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Testing-Link-Vibration-tests-2_4000x2600.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" />
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Engineers from Katalyst Space Technologies testing Link. | Image: NASA/Scott Wiessinger </figcaption>
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<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The Swift Observatory was launched in 2004, but recent solar storms have pushed its orbit lower, and it's in danger of burning up in Earth's atmosphere as soon as this year. To try and <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/space-startup-katalyst-launches-orbital-rescue-mission-aging-nasa-observatory-2026-07-03/">stave off its demise</a>, NASA has <a href="https://apnews.com/article/swift-nasa-satellite-rescue-katalyst-a7ddd740ca099587c58865f583c7245a">enlisted</a> Katalyst Space Technologies. The company's Link spacecraft launched Friday with the goal of intercepting Swift, which has no propulsion system, and <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/swift/swift-boost-mission/">boosting its orbit</a> back to its original position. Right now, Swift is circling at an altitude of 224 miles, and Link is aiming to raise that by about 150 miles.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Using a three-armed spacecraft to lift a satellite 150 miles higher into orbit is challenging enough, but the spee …</p>
<p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/science/961459/nasa-emergency-save-swift-observatory-katalyst-space-technologies">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>
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# NASA launched an emergency mission to stop the Swift Observatory from crashing to Earth
Source: [https://www.theverge.com/science/961459/nasa-emergency-save-swift-observatory-katalyst-space-technologies](https://www.theverge.com/science/961459/nasa-emergency-save-swift-observatory-katalyst-space-technologies)
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The mission came together in just nine months\.
The mission came together in just nine months\.
by
Jul 4, 2026, 7:06 PM UTC
[](https://www.theverge.com/authors/terrence-obrien)
Terrence O'Brien
is the Verge’s weekend editor\. He’s covered the tech industry for over 18 years and knows a thing or two about synths\.
The Swift Observatory was launched in 2004, but recent solar storms have pushed its orbit lower, and it’s in danger of burning up in Earth’s atmosphere as soon as this year\. To try and[stave off its demise](https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/space-startup-katalyst-launches-orbital-rescue-mission-aging-nasa-observatory-2026-07-03/), NASA has[enlisted](https://apnews.com/article/swift-nasa-satellite-rescue-katalyst-a7ddd740ca099587c58865f583c7245a)Katalyst Space Technologies\. The company’s Link spacecraft launched Friday with the goal of intercepting Swift, which has no propulsion system, and[boosting its orbit](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/swift/swift-boost-mission/)back to its original position\. Right now, Swift is circling at an altitude of 224 miles, and Link is aiming to raise that by about 150 miles\.
Using a three\-armed spacecraft to lift a satellite 150 miles higher into orbit is challenging enough, but the speed with which Katalyst pulled the mission together makes it even more impressive\. NASA required the company to rush the job because Swift would be too low to save by October\. $30 million and nine months later, help is on the way for the $500 million Swift\.
The[Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/swift/)primarily studies gamma\-ray bursts, which have been crucial to understanding the early days of the universe\.
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