The Swift telescope, launched in 2004, is now falling toward Earth’s atmosphere, and the spacecraft sent to rescue it has run into its own problem.
Katalyst Space Technologies said its Link satellite is experiencing thruster problems and has gone into an uncontrollable spin that is disrupting communication.
Recent solar activity caused the Swift telescope to descend faster than expected, and it needs a lift as soon as possible to get it back into orbit and continue scanning the universe for explosions and gamma-ray bursts. Without help, the Swift telescope is in danger of burning up in Earth’s atmosphere.
Rolf Jansen, Research Scientist for Extragalactic Astronomy and Cosmology, joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss the next step in the efforts to save the Swift telescope and what could be at risk if the mission fails.
