Save the Falling Space Telescope — NASA Attempts a First-Ever 'Orbit Boost'

Explanation

The astronomical satellite 'Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory,' operated by NASA of the United States, has continuously observed 'gamma-ray bursts,' the most violent explosive phenomena in the universe, since its launch in 2004. In recent years, however, the satellite's altitude has been gradually declining, and it faced the risk of falling into the atmosphere and burning up if nothing were done.

The cause of the declining altitude is solar activity. When solar activity becomes more active, Earth's uppermost atmosphere expands due to heat, and the satellite is slightly grazed by the atmosphere, gradually losing speed. As its speed drops, its orbit lowers, bringing it into even denser atmosphere and increasing drag further — a vicious cycle in which a low-orbit satellite will inevitably fall if left alone.

NASA therefore invested about $30 million and partnered with Katalyst Space to dock another spacecraft, called 'LINK,' with Swift and carry out a first-ever mission to push its orbit back upward. LINK was successfully launched on July 3, 2026, Japan time. The judgment was that extending the life of a satellite that is still usable is more cost-effective than building a new telescope from scratch. It can be described as a symbolic challenge marking a shift toward 'space development that doesn't throw things away.'