The Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory

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Swift Mission Transitions Ops to Prep for Orbit Boost

Feb 11, 2026

NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory temporarily suspended most science operations in an effort to reduce atmospheric drag and slow the spacecraft's orbital decay. Halting these activities will enable controllers to keep the spacecraft in an orientation that minimizes drag effects, extending its time in orbit in anticipation of a reboost mission.
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NASA Awards Company to Attempt Swift Spacecraft Orbit Boost

Sep 24, 2025

Driving rapid innovation in the American space industry, NASA has awarded Katalyst Space Technologies of Flagstaff, Arizona, a contract to raise a spacecraft's orbit. Katalyst's robotic servicing spacecraft will rendezvous with NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory and raise it to a higher altitude, demonstrating a key capability for the future of space exploration and extending the Swift mission's science lifetime.
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NASA Explores Industry Possibilities to Raise Swift Mission's Orbit

Aug 11, 2025

To drive the development of key space-based capabilities for the United States, NASA is exploring an opportunity to demonstrate technology to raise a spacecraft's orbit to a higher altitude. Two American companies - Cambrian Works of Reston, Virginia, and Katalyst Space Technologies of Flagstaff, Arizona - will develop concept design studies for a possible orbit boost for the agency's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory.
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