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Swift Telescope Back Online, Orbit Deteriorating | Science News
NASA’s Swift telescope, a 21-year space veteran, is back online with two of its three instruments—just as it faces an urgent orbital crisis. Originally designed to detect gamma-ray bursts and alert other observatories, Swift now plummets faster than expected due to atmospheric drag, worsened by solar activity. A failed commercial rescue mission meant to extend its life has left the spacecraft on a downward spiral, with scientists fearing it will dip below its critical 185-mile altitude within weeks. Though the Burst Alert Telescope remains offline, the active instruments are still gathering…
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