NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory—an about 3,200-pound (roughly 1,500-kilogram) space observatory that has spent more than two decades studying gamma-ray bursts—may be on track to fall back to Earth as its orbit decays faster than expected. The issue is increasing drag caused by changes in Earth’s upper atmosphere, which has been affected by space weather and solar activity.

Swift was not originally designed to be serviced or have a docking mission mounted to it, so NASA’s plan is unusual: the agency has put together the Swift Boost mission, aiming to send a newly built spacecraft to reach Swift while it is still in orbit. The spacecraft—built by Katalyst Space Technologies—will launch and conduct checks before attempting to approach and rendezvous with Swift. If the mission succeeds, the rescue spacecraft will attach to Swift and use propulsion capability to raise Swift’s orbit, giving it more time to continue its science.

Because Swift lacks propulsion of its own, the rescue is heavily dependent on precise navigation, successful docking/robotic capture, and correctly timed maneuvers. NASA leaders involved in the effort have emphasized that the mission’s concept is challenging and that few expected a practical attempt to be possible—yet NASA argues Swift’s distinctive astrophysics capabilities make the risk worth taking.

The article also notes that Swift’s scientific value has been substantial: the observatory has detected thousands of gamma-ray burst events across vast distances, helping scientists study some of the most energetic explosions in the universe and improve understanding of how heavy elements are formed. With Swift’s operational life nearing its end due to orbital decay, the rescue effort is framed as a last chance to preserve those capabilities by extending its time in space.