Swift Observatory Rescue on Hold | Edmonton News

Edmonton News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 2, 2026 · 1m

NASA’s desperate bid to save its aging Swift Observatory is on hold after a last-minute rocket failure during a critical launch attempt. The $30 million rescue mission, led by Katalyst Space, aims to grab the orbit-decaying telescope before it crashes in October — a mission vital to two decades of cosmic discoveries. Despite months of prep and even pausing science operations to extend Swift’s life, a Pegasus rocket failed to detach from its carrier plane, halting progress. With no new date set and teams frustrated after months of work, this high-stakes rescue underscores how fragile even the…