NASA's Swift Observatory Nears Earth Reentry After Rescue Attempt Fails

NASA's Swift Observatory, a gamma-ray burst hunter, is expected to reenter Earth's atmosphere around November 3, 2026, following the failure of a commercial rescue mission to boost its orbit. Most of the 1.5-ton telescope is projected to burn up, though some dense components may survive. The mission operated for 22 years, significantly advancing understanding of gamma-ray bursts and black holes.