Swift space observatory prepares for re-entry after 22 years of service

End of operations and atmospheric entry

The Swift space telescope, developed by the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), will soon enter the dense layers of Earth's atmosphere. This spacecraft, which has been in orbit for 22 years, has lost the ability to maintain its designated altitude. According to Associated Press, most of the 1.5-tonne structure will burn up during the fall. However, there is a possibility that individual components, specifically tungsten parts (a metal denser than lead) and sections of the mirror systems, will survive.

Most likely, these fragments will end up in the ocean. However, the potential impact zone covers significant territories: Africa, Australia, India, South-East Asia, as well as Central and South America.

Causes of orbit loss and failed rescue attempt

NASA stated that scientific observations ceased on 20 October, and since then the spacecraft has continued to descend. The main cause was high solar activity, which creates additional drag for satellites in low Earth orbit, making it increasingly difficult to maintain altitude. Swift began losing altitude last year.

The agency attempted to save the telescope by deploying a specialised spacecraft developed by Katalyst Space Technologies. However, this plan failed due to technical malfunctions in the rescue module. This summer, the rescue mission was unsuccessful, and the rescue spacecraft itself fell into Earth's atmosphere at the end of September.

Mission history and scientific achievements

The Swift observatory was launched in 2004. The initial planned mission duration was only two years, but the spacecraft continued to function for 22 years. The primary area of research was gamma-ray bursts — the most powerful explosions in the universe. Over its entire operational period, the space telescope recorded more than 2,000 such events.