Space Rescue

A space telescope is scheduled for a rescue. If the plan works, a small spacecraft will boost it to a higher orbit. That would allow the telescope to keep watching the skies for years. Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory was launched in late 2004. It watches the universe at a wide range of wavelengths, from visible light to gamma rays – the most powerful form of energy. Its original mission was to study gamma-ray bursts – the explosive deaths of massive stars. They’re among the most violent events in the universe, and among the “swiftest” – they fade in as little as a few seconds. So the telescope has to pivot swiftly when a new burst occurs – hence its name. Swift’s original altitude was 375 miles. But the Sun has been especially active in recent years. It’s heated Earth’s atmosphere, causing it to expand. That’s dragged the telescope to less than 250 miles. There’s a good chance it could fall from orbit by the end of the year. The rescue mission is scheduled for launch within a few weeks. Swift wasn’t designed to be serviced in orbit, so it’ll take some delicate maneuvering to not harm its delicate equipment. The rescue ship will spend a couple of weeks flying around the observatory, giving controllers time to plot the capture. Once latched on, the craft will boost the telescope back to its original altitude – allowing it to keep watching some of the most powerful events in the universe. Script by Damond Benningfield