NASA's Swift Observatory Ends Science Operations Ahead of Planned Re-Entry

NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory has stopped its scientific mission as the satellite’s orbit decayed due to increased atmospheric drag. The spacecraft entered safe mode on Oct. 20 at an altitude of about 275 km, after which the operations team at Pennsylvania State University sent a command to end the mission and ready the probe for re-entry.

The descent accelerated after a period of heightened solar activity, which thickened the thin outer layers of the atmosphere and increased drag on the low-Earth-orbit platform. A planned servicing mission in August that might have raised Swift’s orbit was concluded without a boost, leaving the satellite to continue its gradual fall.

During its operational life, Swift observed gamma-ray bursts, supernova remnants, active galactic nuclei and comets, providing data that will remain in an archive for future research. Launched in November 2004, the observatory’s rapid response capability allowed coordinated observations across multiple wavelengths.

As the satellite approaches re-entry, most of its components are expected to burn up due to heating, though the exact outcome will depend on re-entry conditions. NASA officials said the mission’s scientific legacy will persist through the extensive dataset it gathered.