18/06/2026 19:08 - Tecnologia
Nave espacial robótica con múltiples brazos mecánicos acercándose a un telescopio orbital plateado en el espacio, con la Tierra azul visible en el fondo, iluminación dramática del espacio
NASA will launch in the coming days a unique rescue operation: a robotic spacecraft will intercept the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory Space Telescope to raise its orbit and prevent it from re-entering Earth's atmosphere before the end of 2026. This procedure has never been performed on an operational scientific satellite.
The observatory, launched in 2004, originally orbited at approximately 600 kilometers altitude. However, the recent intensification of solar activity caused the expansion of Earth's upper atmospheric layers, generating increased friction on the satellite.
As a consequence, Swift descended rapidly to approximately 370 kilometers from the surface, compromising its orbital stability. Original estimates predicted the telescope could remain operational until 2030, but the solar phenomenon accelerated this scenario.
| Weight | Approximately 400 kg |
| Dimensions | Comparable to a refrigerator |
| Launch Site | Kwajalein Atoll (Pacific Ocean) |
| Vehicle | Pegasus XL Rocket |
| NASA Contract | USD 30 million (September 2025) |
| Developer | Katalyst Space Technologies |
The Swift telescope revolutionized the study of the most energetic phenomena in the universe. Its "burst detection" system monitors approximately one-sixth of the sky and can rotate its instruments in less than two minutes upon any indication of cosmic explosion.
Confirmed that long-duration bursts come from massive star explosions, while short ones derive from neutron star mergers.
Participated in detecting the most intense gamma-ray burst ever observed, the brightest event recorded to date.
Coordinated observations between ground-based and space instruments to study phenomena associated with gravitational wave emissions.
The success of this mission could establish a new paradigm in space exploration. Until now, satellites and telescopes were considered lost when they exhausted fuel or descended from orbit. Robotic maintenance technology would open the door to:
The Hubble Case: The Hubble Space Telescope also shows signs of orbital degradation and may need a similar operation in the coming decade. "I know the Hubble team is following this project very closely," said Brad Cenko, principal investigator of the Swift mission.
"The entire scientific community fervently hopes this works. Even if they don't succeed, the accelerated timelines and the fact that much of the decision-making will be done in orbit sounds incredibly cool."
Alfredo S. Quiroga
