NASA's Swift telescope has burned up, months after a robot sent to save it failed

Swift Telescope

NASA's Swift telescope took its last look at the sky on October 20, 2026. The telescope's mission was ended three days later due to atmospheric drag.

Mission Details

The Swift telescope made its final observation while orbiting 275 kilometers above Earth. The telescope's mission was ended because it was no longer able to hold steady due to atmospheric drag.

Scientific Significance

The end of the Swift telescope's mission marks the end of an important era in space research. This telescope had contributed to many significant discoveries.