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NASA's $30M Mission to Boost Swift Observatory's Orbit

11/24/2025

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Summary

Story summary

NASA plans to rescue Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory by boosting its orbit by the end of 2026.
Arizona-based Katalyst Space Technologies will launch a robotic spacecraft to boost the Swift's altitude, marking a first for a commercial spacecraft to assist a government satellite.
The Pegasus XL rocket will be dropped from a modified L-1011 aircraft at 39,000 feet.
The mission costs about $30 million, far less than Swift's $500 million.

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Story summary

NASA plans to rescue Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory by boosting its orbit by the end of 2026.
Arizona-based Katalyst Space Technologies will launch a robotic spacecraft to boost the Swift's altitude, marking a first for a commercial spacecraft to assist a government satellite.
The Pegasus XL rocket will be dropped from a modified L-1011 aircraft at 39,000 feet.
The mission costs about $30 million, far less than Swift's $500 million.