NASA's mission to save a vital space telescope from plummeting back to Earth is in trouble.

At the beginning of July, NASA and its commercial partners finally mounted a highly anticipated rescue mission to prevent the Swift Observatory from falling out of orbit and meeting its demise in our planet's atmosphere. For most of the month, the operation appeared to be going off without much of a hitch, with the spacecraft meant to boost Swift's altitude reaching orbit and establishing communications with Earth following a launch.

But by the end of July, things started to look grim.

That spacecraft tasked with reaching the Swift Observatory and clamping onto the telescope encountered some mechanical issues that have since sent it spinning uncontrollably in space. As of now, though, the U.S. space agency appears to remain cautiously optimistic that the mission could still be successful – as long as time doesn't run out.

This is a section from a larger image the Vera C. Rubin Observatory captured referred to as the "ocean of stars." The view shows millions of multi-colored stars against a backdrop of galaxies close to the Milky Way’s plane, the crowded disk of the galaxy. (NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory/NOIRLab/SLAC/AURA)
This is a section from a larger image the Vera C. Rubin Observatory captured referred to as the "ocean of stars." The view shows millions of multi-colored stars against a backdrop of galaxies close to the Milky Way’s plane, the crowded disk of the galaxy. (NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory/NOIRLab/SLAC/AURA)
A field of stars in the constellation Lupus showcases the unprecedented view of the universe that the Vera C. Rubin Observatory provides. Rubin combines a wide view of the sky with the ability to detect extremely faint objects, revealing details of the cosmos across an enormous range of scales. (NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory/NOIRLab/SLAC/AURA)
A field of stars in the constellation Lupus showcases the unprecedented view of the universe that the Vera C. Rubin Observatory provides. Rubin combines a wide view of the sky with the ability to detect extremely faint objects, revealing details of the cosmos across an enormous range of scales. (NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory/NOIRLab/SLAC/AURA)
This map represents how much sky the Rubin Observatory can map in one week, with he color of the tile representing the filter used for each exposure as the Observatory rapidly builds a multicolor map of the universe. (NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory/NOIRLab/SLAC/AURA)
This map represents how much sky the Rubin Observatory can map in one week, with he color of the tile representing the filter used for each exposure as the Observatory rapidly builds a multicolor map of the universe. (NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory/NOIRLab/SLAC/AURA)
A model of the Solar System showing the roughly 380 trans-Neptunian objects (objects orbiting beyond Neptune) discovered using observations taken during Rubin’s early optimization surveys in summer 2025. (NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory/NOIRLab/SLAC/AURA/R. Proctor)
A model of the Solar System showing the roughly 380 trans-Neptunian objects (objects orbiting beyond Neptune) discovered using observations taken during Rubin’s early optimization surveys in summer 2025. (NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory/NOIRLab/SLAC/AURA/R. Proctor)
A model of the inner Solar System showing the asteroids discovered by Rubin in light teal. Known asteroids are dark blue. The model shows almost 12,700 asteroids that were discovered with Rubin over the span of a year and a half. (NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory/NOIRLab/SLAC/AURA/R. Proctor)
A model of the inner Solar System showing the asteroids discovered by Rubin in light teal. Known asteroids are dark blue. The model shows almost 12,700 asteroids that were discovered with Rubin over the span of a year and a half. (NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory/NOIRLab/SLAC/AURA/R. Proctor)
This image shows comet 3I/ATLAS, the third interstellar object ever discovered, on June 21, 2025 — ten days before its official discovery was announced. (NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory/NOIRLab/SLAC/AURA; Image Processing: C. Chandler (University of Washington), M. Zamani & D. de Martin (NSF NOIRLab))
This image shows comet 3I/ATLAS, the third interstellar object ever discovered, on June 21, 2025 — ten days before its official discovery was announced. (NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory/NOIRLab/SLAC/AURA; Image Processing: C. Chandler (University of Washington), M. Zamani & D. de Martin (NSF NOIRLab))
In this photo captured in February 2026, the Rubin Observatory observes the Chilean night sky above Cerro Pachón beneath the dazzling view of our home galaxy, the Milky Way. (NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory/NOIRLab/SLAC/AURA/P. Lago)
In this photo captured in February 2026, the Rubin Observatory observes the Chilean night sky above Cerro Pachón beneath the dazzling view of our home galaxy, the Milky Way. (NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory/NOIRLab/SLAC/AURA/P. Lago)
This is a section from a larger image the Vera C. Rubin Observatory captured referred to as the "ocean of stars." The view shows millions of multi-colored stars against a backdrop of galaxies close to the Milky Way’s plane, the crowded disk of the galaxy. (NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory/NOIRLab/SLAC/AURA)
This is a section from a larger image the Vera C. Rubin Observatory captured referred to as the "ocean of stars." The view shows millions of multi-colored stars against a backdrop of galaxies close to the Milky Way’s plane, the crowded disk of the galaxy. (NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory/NOIRLab/SLAC/AURA)
This is a section from a larger image the Vera C. Rubin Observatory captured referred to as the "ocean of stars." The view shows millions of multi-colored stars against a backdrop of galaxies close to the Milky Way’s plane, the crowded disk of the galaxy. (NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory/NOIRLab/SLAC/AURA)
This is a section from a larger image the Vera C. Rubin Observatory captured referred to as the "ocean of stars." The view shows millions of multi-colored stars against a backdrop of galaxies close to the Milky Way’s plane, the crowded disk of the galaxy. (NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory/NOIRLab/SLAC/AURA)
This is a section from a larger image the Vera C. Rubin Observatory captured referred to as the "ocean of stars." The view shows millions of multi-colored stars against a backdrop of galaxies close to the Milky Way’s plane, the crowded disk of the galaxy. (NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory/NOIRLab/SLAC/AURA)
This is a section from a larger image the Vera C. Rubin Observatory captured referred to as the "ocean of stars." The view shows millions of multi-colored stars against a backdrop of galaxies close to the Milky Way’s plane, the crowded disk of the galaxy. (NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory/NOIRLab/SLAC/AURA)
The open star cluster Messier 21 as imaged by NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory. Located near the Trifid Nebula, Messier 21 is relatively young and tightly packed with small, dim stars. (RubinObs/NOIRLab/SLAC/NSF/DOE/AURA)
The open star cluster Messier 21 as imaged by NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory. Located near the Trifid Nebula, Messier 21 is relatively young and tightly packed with small, dim stars. (RubinObs/NOIRLab/SLAC/NSF/DOE/AURA)
Globular cluster NGC 6544 as imaged by NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory. This tightly packed globular cluster is home to tens of thousands of stars. (RubinObs/NOIRLab/SLAC/NSF/DOE/AURA)
Globular cluster NGC 6544 as imaged by NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory. This tightly packed globular cluster is home to tens of thousands of stars. (RubinObs/NOIRLab/SLAC/NSF/DOE/AURA)

Here's the latest on NASA's mission to rescue the Swift Observatory.

This NASA illustration shows the Swift Observatory in space. The space agency is planning a mission to launch another spacecraft that will help boost the space telescope's orbit to prevent it from falling to Earth. (NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center Conceptual Image Lab)
This NASA illustration shows the Swift Observatory in space. The space agency is planning a mission to launch another spacecraft that will help boost the space telescope's orbit to prevent it from falling to Earth. (NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center Conceptual Image Lab)
Katalyst Space’s LINK robotic servicing satellite awaits encapsulation inside a Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL on June 8, 2026, at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. The rocket will carry LINK to space for an attempted orbital boost of NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory. (NASA/Ron Beard)
Katalyst Space’s LINK robotic servicing satellite awaits encapsulation inside a Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL on June 8, 2026, at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. The rocket will carry LINK to space for an attempted orbital boost of NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory. (NASA/Ron Beard)
A Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL rocket is affixed to the bottom of the company’s Stargazer, a modified L-1011 aircraft, which took off June 18 at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. Inside the rocket is Katalyst Space’s LINK robotic servicing spacecraft, which will launch to boost the orbit of NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory. Stargazer will fly to Kwajalein Atoll, part of the Republic of the Marshall Islands in the South Pacific Ocean, to launch the mission. (NASA/Jamie Adkins)
A Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL rocket is affixed to the bottom of the company’s Stargazer, a modified L-1011 aircraft, which took off June 18 at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. Inside the rocket is Katalyst Space’s LINK robotic servicing spacecraft, which will launch to boost the orbit of NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory. Stargazer will fly to Kwajalein Atoll, part of the Republic of the Marshall Islands in the South Pacific Ocean, to launch the mission. (NASA/Jamie Adkins)
Katalyst’s LINK spacecraft prepares to attach to NASA’s Swift Observatory in this artist’s concept. (Katalyst Space via NASA)
Katalyst’s LINK spacecraft prepares to attach to NASA’s Swift Observatory in this artist’s concept. (Katalyst Space via NASA)
This NASA illustration shows the Swift Observatory in space. The space agency is planning a mission to launch another spacecraft that will help boost the space telescope's orbit to prevent it from falling to Earth. (Provided by NASA)
This NASA illustration shows the Swift Observatory in space. The space agency is planning a mission to launch another spacecraft that will help boost the space telescope's orbit to prevent it from falling to Earth. (Provided by NASA)
A solar panel extends from the side of Katalyst Space’s LINK robotic servicing spacecraft in orbit in this image captured by one of LINK’s cameras July 9, 2026. An identical panel stretches from the spacecraft’s other side, and the entire array spans about 20 feet (6 meters). LINK will use the array to power systems as it attempts to boost the altitude of NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory this summer. (Katalyst Space via NASA)
A solar panel extends from the side of Katalyst Space’s LINK robotic servicing spacecraft in orbit in this image captured by one of LINK’s cameras July 9, 2026. An identical panel stretches from the spacecraft’s other side, and the entire array spans about 20 feet (6 meters). LINK will use the array to power systems as it attempts to boost the altitude of NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory this summer. (Katalyst Space via NASA)
An artistic rendering of the Swift Observatory (Provided by NASA)
An artistic rendering of the Swift Observatory (Provided by NASA)

Launched in 2004, NASA's Swift Observatory has spent more than two decades orbiting Earth while studying a variety of cosmic phenomena. The satellite's primary objective, though, is to observe gamma-ray bursts – events triggered by the catastrophic deaths of massive stars and considered to be the most powerful types of explosions in the universe.

The satellite is equipped with three multiwavelength telescopes that are able to collect data in visible, ultraviolet, X-ray and gamma-ray light.

The Swift Observatory is in a region of space known as low-Earth orbit nearer to the atmosphere, which is also where the International Space Station resides.

All spacecraft in that region can expect to fall to lower altitudes if they don't have propulsion systems to counteract atmospheric drag and maintain their orbits. But the Swift Observatory has fallen faster than NASA has anticipated because of increased solar storms since fall 2024.

Mission teams on the ground have been keeping Swift at least 185 miles above Earth, where NASA's mission to save it has the best chance of success.

On July 3, a rocket manufactured by Virginia-based aerospace company Northrop Grumman helped launch NASA's highly anticipated rescue operation, which the agency has simply dubbed the "Swift Boost Mission."

A Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL rocket is affixed to the bottom of the company’s Stargazer, a modified L-1011 aircraft, which took off June 18 at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. Inside the rocket is Katalyst Space’s LINK robotic servicing spacecraft, which will launch to boost the orbit of NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory. Stargazer will fly to Kwajalein Atoll, part of the Republic of the Marshall Islands in the South Pacific Ocean, to launch the mission.
A Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL rocket is affixed to the bottom of the company’s Stargazer, a modified L-1011 aircraft, which took off June 18 at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. Inside the rocket is Katalyst Space’s LINK robotic servicing spacecraft, which will launch to boost the orbit of NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory. Stargazer will fly to Kwajalein Atoll, part of the Republic of the Marshall Islands in the South Pacific Ocean, to launch the mission.

On board Northrop Grumman's 55-foot-tall Pegasus XL was a spacecraft tasked with rendezvousing with the Swift Observatory and helping to boost it to a higher orbit.

Rather than get the rocket off the ground vertically on a launch pad, Northrop Grumman deploys an air-launch strategy to send the Pegasus to space.

Taking off from the Marshall Islands in the South Pacific Ocean, the company's Stargazer L-1011 aircraft climbed to approximately 40,000 feet over the ocean, where it released the Pegasus rocket. After several seconds in free-fall, the Pegasus XL then ignited its first of its three-stage rocket motors, delivering LINK into orbit in about 10 minutes, according to Northrop Grumman.

A solar panel extends from the side of Katalyst Space’s LINK robotic servicing spacecraft in orbit in this image captured by one of LINK’s cameras July 9, 2026. An identical panel stretches from the spacecraft’s other side, and the entire array spans about 20 feet (6 meters). LINK will use the array to power systems as it attempts to boost the altitude of NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory this summer.
A solar panel extends from the side of Katalyst Space’s LINK robotic servicing spacecraft in orbit in this image captured by one of LINK’s cameras July 9, 2026. An identical panel stretches from the spacecraft’s other side, and the entire array spans about 20 feet (6 meters). LINK will use the array to power systems as it attempts to boost the altitude of NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory this summer.

But troubles soon arose for the 5-foot-tall LINK spacecraft, developed by Arizona-based Katalyst Space with a $30 million contract from NASA to save the Swift Observatory.

Powered by 20 feet of solar panels, the 880-pound spacecraft managed to establish communications the same day as the launch and send a signal back to Earth confirming its power systems were working as planned.

Once LINK reached Earth orbit, Katalyst was then due to spend a few weeks evaluating the spacecraft's propulsion, navigation and sensor systems. Once everything checked out, the spacecraft was next due to slowly approach and survey Swift before grabbing the observatory with its robotic arms and raising the orbit to nearly 370 miles high.

Progress continued as anticipated, according to Katalyst – at least until the end of July.

That's when NASA reported that LINK "experienced issues" that caused the spacecraft to spin out of control. As a result, ground teams have been only receiving sporadic communications from the vehicle.

The Katalyst ground control team has since been working to stabilize the LINK spacecraft by using a series of electric propulsion thruster burns to reduce how fast it's spinning, NASA said in a July 31 blog post.

Despite the setback, NASA said Katalyst has identified "potential paths forward for a boost," with LINK potentially approaching approaching the Swift Observatory by the end of August.

Because Swift has no docking ports or grappling fixtures to grab onto, Katalyst built its LINK spacecraft with a custom robotic capture mechanism meant to attach to a feature on the satellite's main structure. The process is meant to mitigate the chance of any sensitive instruments being damaged, Katalyst said in a previous press release.

NASA could allow the Swift Observatory to fall back to Earth later in 2026, where it would harmlessly burn up as it careened into the atmosphere.

Instead, the space agency wants to rescue the telescope and extend its mission for several more years – negating the need to spend more money to replace the observatory, NASA said in a press release.

A successful mission would mark the first time that a commercial robotic spacecraft captures a government satellite that – unlike other spacecraft like the Hubble Space Telescope – was never meant to be serviced in space. The unprecedented venture, NASA leaders say, would also test a new capability that could be used on other future missions.

Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at [email protected]

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NASA's bid to save a prized space telescope takes an alarming turn