NASA has begun an urgent rescue mission for its Swift telescope, which is at risk of falling back to Earth. The aging spacecraft, designed to detect gamma-ray bursts, has been in orbit for over two decades.
The telescope's orbital decay has accelerated unexpectedly, prompting the space agency to intervene. Swift has been a cornerstone of astrophysics, observing some of the universe's most energetic explosions.
Details of the rescue plan remain scarce, though NASA has confirmed the mission is a "daring" attempt. The telescope's exact altitude and time window before reentry have not been disclosed.
If successful, the mission could extend Swift's life for years. Failure would likely result in the telescope burning up in the atmosphere, ending its scientific contributions.
Critics question whether the costs of such a complex operation outweigh the benefits of focusing on newer missions.