NASA’s Swift telescope faces reentry after Katalyst’s $30 million rescue fails

NASA forecasts that its Swift telescope will reenter Earth’s atmosphere around Nov. 4, after a $30 million rescue attempt by Katalyst Space failed. Swift launched Nov. 20, 2004, for gamma-ray-burst research and operated for nearly 22 years without thrusters; increased solar activity raised atmospheric drag, and by Oct. 20 it had descended to 171 miles. Katalyst built the LINK rescue craft under a September 2025 NASA contract and launched it July 3, 2026, but an electrical failure affected two of three reaction wheels. Thrusters restored control but consumed extra fuel, and LINK returned to Earth Sept. 25 after Katalyst said it came within 12–15 kilometers of Swift.