After LINK mission failure, Swift reenters atmosphere

End of a Historic 22-Year Mission

NASA's long-serving Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory has officially completed its journey in space, reentering Earth's atmosphere on November 4, 2026. This atmospheric reentry marks the conclusion of a remarkable mission that spanned nearly 22 years in orbit.

The LINK Mission and Rendezvous Attempts

To extend the operational lifetime of the aging observatory, Katalyst Space developed the LINK spacecraft, designed specifically to boost Swift's orbit. NASA had announced on August 19 that the LINK spacecraft would rendezvous with the observatory to carry out the orbit-boosting maneuver.

Atmospheric Reentry and Legacy

Following the outcome of the LINK mission efforts, the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory ultimately reentered Earth's atmosphere on November 4, 2026. After providing crucial astronomical insights for over two decades, the aging space telescope met its end in Earth's upper atmosphere.