Big news has come out of the space sector. NASA’s old but very important Swift telescope is now in danger. The satellite is slowly descending towards Earth. If it is not moved to a higher orbit in time, it could burn up completely after entering the Earth’s atmosphere.
NASA does not want to lose this telescope at any cost. Because Swift is still sending important information from space. It monitors especially powerful explosions – such as gamma-ray bursts – and other major cosmic events.
The Swift observatory was launched in 2004. After more than two decades of operation, its batteries are now starting to fail, and its solar panels are no longer working at their original capacity. As a result, it is slowly losing its orbit. NASA has taken a big step to save it, hiring Catalyst Space Technologies. The company will provide a booster system to return Swift to a high orbit. According to reports, the mission will cost around $300 billion. In Indian rupees, this amount is over 300 thousand crores. The mission aims to extend Swift’s lifespan and return it to a safe orbit.
NASA will use a Pegasus rocket to save Swift. The mission will be important in many ways. Scientists say that Swift is still fully operational and continues to provide important information about the universe; as a result, saving it has become a priority for NASA. It’s not just Swift; NASA’s famous Hubble Space Telescope is also at risk. The Hubble Telescope, which is about 36 years old, is slowly getting old, and it may also face similar challenges in the future.
NASA science chief Nick Fox said Swift provides important data and NASA doesn’t want to lose it. The mission is expected to end by October. Since Swift may need an orbit adjustment by September, NASA is preparing to launch a rescue operation as soon as possible.
