NASA is gearing up for a daring mission to save an aging space telescope from destruction. The Swift Observatory, launched in 2004 and originally designed for a two-year mission, faces the threat of burning up in Earth’s atmosphere if left unattended.
The rescue operation involves launching a robot developed by US startup Katalyst that will be propelled by a Pegasus rocket. Although initially scheduled to launch on Tuesday at 10:23 GMT (3:23 PKT), the mission was postponed due to unfavorable weather conditions, with the next attempt set for Wednesday, July 1, at 09:43 GMT (2:43 PKT).
Once in orbit near that of the telescope, the robot must locate and maneuver around Swift. Its goal is to latch onto three movable arms and guide it into a stable orbit about 300 kilometers higher over Earth’s surface.
NASA astrophysicist Regina Caputo describes this mission as ‘a lot of firsts stacked on top of each other.’ She notes that the idea of rescuing an aging telescope might seem odd at first glance, but it marks a significant step in extending satellites’ lifespans and saving them from potential destruction.
Source: Original report
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