NASA's Swift telescope set to burn up on uncontrolled re‑entry
The Guardian reported that NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory is expected to re‑enter Earth’s atmosphere on Wednesday and burn up.
The Guardian reported that NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory is expected to re‑enter Earth’s atmosphere on Wednesday and burn up. Launched in 2004, the satellite has spent two decades observing the most powerful explosions in the cosmos. It was built with three telescopes and was only meant to operate for two years. The observatory can no longer steer or conduct observations, and its descent will be uncontrolled.
Officials said the spacecraft will disintegrate as it encounters the atmosphere, ending its long‑standing scientific mission.
Why it matters
The re‑entry marks the conclusion of a mission that provided two decades of data on cosmic explosions.
Key details
- Location
- United Kingdom · Europe
- Reported by
- The Guardian
- First reported
- Key names
- Earth, Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, Nasa’s Neil Gehrels Swift, Observatory
- Section
- Science
Sources
This is an independent summary. Read the full, original reporting from the publisher:
Read the full story at The GuardianSpotted an error? Request a correction · How this summary was produced
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