Swift Observatory Resumes Operations Despite Imminent Orbital Decay

AI-generated NewsSnap summary based on source reporting.
Published: 2026-09-01
Category: science
Source: ScienceDaily (citing NASA)
Original source

NASA has successfully reactivated two telescopes on the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory after a commercial mission failed to raise its orbit. Due to increased atmospheric drag, the aging observatory is expected to fall below its critical operating altitude within one to two months. Scientists anticipate limited remaining operational time for Swift, impacting its ability to continue its gamma-ray burst and X-ray astronomy observations.

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