"NASA officials believe the Swift observatory is worth saving for the right price, as it has cost roughly $500 million to build, launch, and operate."
"Katalyst Space Technologies was awarded a $30 million contract to rapidly build and launch a commercial satellite to stabilize Swift's orbit and extend its mission."
"Gamma-ray bursts happen without warning, and scientists rely on Swift's multi-wavelength instruments to identify and locate these powerful cosmic events."
The Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, a 21-year-old NASA mission, is out of action and falling out of orbit. NASA awarded Katalyst Space Technologies a $30 million contract to launch a commercial satellite to stabilize Swift's orbit. Unlike flagship missions like Hubble, Swift's rescue is less costly and poses lower risks. Swift has been crucial for detecting gamma-ray bursts, and despite its age, it remains valuable for astrophysical research. The mission must be launched by summer to extend Swift's operational life.
Read at Ars Technica
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