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Health & Science3h 43m ago

NASA and Katalyst Space Technologies representatives will discuss a mission to boost the orbit of the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory during a press conference today, June 17, at 11 a.m. EDT.

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Washington; Greenbelt, Maryland; Marshall Islands

Who
NASA, Katalyst Space Technologies, Shawn Domagal-Goldman, Brad Cenko, Kieran Wilson, Robert Lamontagne, Wes Collier
What
NASA and Katalyst Space Technologies representatives will discuss a mission to boost the orbit of the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory during a press conference today, June 17, at 11 a.m. EDT.
When
Wed, 17 Jun 2026 04:07:45 GMT · 3h 43m ago
Where
Washington; Greenbelt, Maryland; Marshall Islands ·
Why
The Link servicing spacecraft will raise the telescope's orbit to prevent it from being dragged down by Earth's atmosphere, as Swift lacks a propulsion system to maintain its altitude.
The Frontline Impact

How this affects you

This mission, the first time a private spacecraft will link with a robotic U.S. government satellite to extend its operational life, is critical for the Swift telescope, which is still functional but nearing a 'fiery death' without intervention. Success impacts future satellite servicing and space debris mitigation strategies.

Story chain

11 events in this thread
  1. Currently Reading3h 43m ago
    NASA and Katalyst Space Technologies representatives will discuss a mission to boost the orbit of the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory during a press conference today, June 17, at 11 a.m. EDT.
  2. Health & Science3h 43m ago
    NASA and Katalyst Space Technologies representatives will discuss a plan today to boost the orbit of the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory.
    Open article
  3. Health & Science3h 43m ago
    NASA will discuss an ambitious mission to boost the orbit of its Swift space telescope during a press conference today (June 17)
    Open article
  4. Health & Science3h 43m ago
    NASA and Katalyst representatives will discuss the plan today, during a press conference that starts at 11 a.m. EDT (1500 GMT).
    Open article
  5. Health & Science3h 43m ago
    NASA and Katalyst Space Technologies representatives will discuss a plan to boost the orbit of the Swift space telescope today, June 17, during a press conference.
    Open article
  6. Health & Science3h 43m ago
    NASA and Katalyst Space Technologies will discuss a mission today to use the Link robotic servicing spacecraft to boost the orbit of NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory.
    Open article
  7. Health & Science3h 43m ago
    NASA discussed a mission to boost the orbit of its Swift space telescope during a press conference today.
    Open article
  8. Health & Science7h 31m ago
    NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, a rapid-response space telescope, is slowly falling out of orbit, but a mission this summer will boost it to a higher altitude to extend its operational life.
    Open article
  9. Health & Science7h 31m ago
    NASA's Swift Observatory, a rapid-response space telescope, which is slowly falling out of orbit, is slated for a daring mission this summer where a spacecraft will launch from Earth and rendezvous with Swift to boost it to a higher altitude and extend its life.
    Open article
  10. Health & Science7h 31m ago
    A daring mission this summer will launch a spacecraft from Earth to rendezvous with the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory to boost it to a higher altitude and extend its life.
    Open article
  11. Health & Science7h 31m ago
    NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, a 'rapid-response' space telescope, will receive an orbital boost this summer through a mission involving a spacecraft named LINK to extend its operational life.
    Open article

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