NASA has reactivated two of the three main science instruments aboard the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, specifically the Ultraviolet/Optical and X-ray telescopes, after months of being turned off to reduce atmospheric drag. Operating for over 21 years, the spacecraft has been steadily losing altitude due to extreme traces of Earth atmosphere influenced by recent solar activity, which accelerates its descent. The commercial mission by Katalyst Space, originally contracted in September 2025 to send a spacecraft called LINK to physically capture and boost Swift into a safer orbit, encountered orientation problems after launching in July 2026. Consequently, the orbital boost maneuver was cancelled, shifting the mission objective entirely to testing technology for future satellite rendezvous and servicing. With science observations resumed on August 26, 2026, Swift is no longer operating in its maximum drag-reducing configuration, which means it will reach the critical 185-mile altitude threshold within one to two months. The Burst Alert Telescope is also expected to resume data collection shortly as engineers work to orient solar panels and manage spacecraft power. This situation highlights the vulnerability of low Earth orbit satellites lacking onboard propulsion systems when facing unpredictable solar weather and atmospheric drag. The ongoing operations represent a final phase of scientific discovery using remaining altitude and time for a mission that has vastly exceeded its initial expected lifespan.
