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NASA Swift telescope set for uncontrolled reentry after rescue failed
U.S. Space Force tracking, reported via AP, puts NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory on course for an uncontrolled fall around Friday after a private boost attempt failed.
- KXAN is now reporting this
- New headline Was: “NASA Swift telescope heads for uncontrolled reentry after failed boost”
- Our desk updated its story
- KTLA, AP and 12 more are now reporting this
- New headline Was: “Space Force sees NASA Swift reentry around Friday after failed boost”
7 earlier updates
- Our desk updated its story
- The Associated Press is now reporting this
- New headline Was: “NASA ends Swift observatory mission as spacecraft falls toward Earth”
- Our desk updated its story
- Space.com is now reporting this
- New headline Was: “NASA ends Swift observatory science mission as orbit decays”
- Our desk updated its story
Wire reporting: (AP, via KXAN)
NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory is expected to reenter Earth's atmosphere in an uncontrolled descent after a private rescue attempt failed to raise its orbit, according to Space.com and an Associated Press report carried widely on Monday2,4.
The U.S. Space Force, as reported by AP, has predicted the roughly 1 1/2-ton spacecraft will come down on or around Friday, with most of it expected to burn up4,5.
Space.com said NASA reported on Oct. 20 that Swift's orbit had decayed to 171 miles (275 kilometers) and that the observatory could no longer offset increased atmospheric drag2. It then entered safe mode, and the operations team at Pennsylvania State University sent a command that ended science operations ahead of reentry2.
Swift launched in November 2004 to study gamma-ray bursts and other high-energy events2,4. AP reported that solar activity in recent years accelerated the drop, and that NASA hired Katalyst Space for a rush boost; the company's robot, Link, launched in July but got no closer than about 7 to 9 miles (12 to 15 kilometers) and reentered in September4.
After the rescue was called off, Swift resumed observations until late October, when it was too low to stay steady, AP said4. Space.com put the spacecraft at about 3,300 pounds (1,500 kilograms)2.
AP, citing NASA chief scientist Brad Cenko, said a few dense pieces could survive reentry and that wreckage is most likely to hit the ocean, though Africa, Australia, India, Southeast Asia, and Central and South America lie in the possible zone4. Space.com cited U.K. engineer Dean Sladen as saying the orbit only passes within about 21 degrees of the equator, a band that is mostly ocean but also crosses populated parts of Africa, South and Southeast Asia, and Latin America2.
LeoLabs fellow Darren McKnight told Space.com Swift would likely break up enough that it would not pose a ground casualty hazard, though some telescope internals might survive2.
Exact timing and the impact point remain unknown as Space Force continues to track the path2,4.
Sources
- (AP, via KXAN)NASA telescope is on the verge of plunging back to Earth after failed rescue missionAlso (AP, via KTLA), (AP, via Global News), (AP, via The Seattle Times)
- Space.comNASA's Swift space telescope is about to crash to Earth. Where will it fall?
- APNASA telescope is on the verge of plunging back to Earth after failed rescue mission
How it’s being reported
2 sourcesFirst reported by 
The Seattle Times
NASA's Swift space telescope is about to crash to Earth. Where will it fall?
Uncertain landing site, orbit band near the equator, and debris risk comments
Reports NASA ended Swift operations after the orbit dropped to 171 miles and describes where debris might fall.
Leaves out Space Force's Friday timing from the AP account
NASA telescope on the verge of plunging back to Earth after failed rescue mission
Gives this outlet’s account of the story.
Same copy also at: (AP, via KXAN) · (AP, via KTLA) · AP · (AP, via The Seattle Times)
Where they agree
- Swift operations have ended and reentry is uncontrolled after a failed private rescue.
- Most of the spacecraft is expected to burn up; surviving pieces, if any, are more likely to hit ocean than land.
- The observatory studied gamma-ray bursts for more than two decades after a 2004 launch.
Where they differ
When reentry will occur