NASA Formally Cancels Commercial Boost Mission for Swift Space Observatory
NASA astrophysics division has announced the formal cancellation of plans to send a commercial robotic spacecraft to boost the decaying orbit of the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory. Operating since 2004, the gamma-ray burst monitoring satellite has experienced increased atmospheric drag caused by solar cycle peaks.
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Although preliminary proposals evaluated commercial space tugs to elevate the spacecraft altitude, agency reviews concluded that technical risks and costs outweighed the benefits compared to funding upcoming space telescopes.
Swift will continue scientific observations until atmospheric friction forces a controlled de-orbit in the late 2020s.