NASA Satellite Rescue Mission Faces Tight Deadline

NASA's aging Swift observatory is falling out of orbit, prompting a unique, time-sensitive rescue mission. Katalyst Space Technologies has been contracted for $30 million to launch a robotic spacecraft by summer to stabilize Swift. This pioneering commercial mission aims to extend the life of the 21-year-old satellite, which remains scientifically valuable for detecting gamma-ray bursts. The mission is technically ambitious, with Katalyst needing to rendezvous and dock with Swift within a nine-month window before it descends too low for a safe operation.