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Health & Science3h 43m ago

NASA has outlined plans for a robotic servicing attempt intended to raise the orbit of the agency’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory.

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Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands

Who
NASA, Katalyst Space, Northrop Grumman
What
NASA has outlined plans for a robotic servicing attempt intended to raise the orbit of the agency’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory.
When
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 23:53:26 GMT · 3h 43m ago
Where
Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands ·
Why
The 21-year-old spacecraft’s low Earth orbit decays amid increased solar activity.
The Frontline Impact

How this affects you

This mission to extend the Swift observatory's lifespan showcases advancements in US spacecraft servicing technology, which NASA states will be crucial for future space exploration efforts. Successfully raising the orbit prevents the observatory from re-entering Earth's atmosphere prematurely.

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