NASA launched an emergency mission to stop the Swift Observatory from crashing to Earth

NASA has enlisted Katalyst Space Technologies to save the 2004-launched Swift Observatory, whose orbit has been lowered by recent solar storms. Katalyst’s Link spacecraft launched Friday and aims to intercept Swift, which lacks propulsion, then raise it about 150 miles above its current 224-mile altitude.

The mission is a high-stakes test of commercial satellite servicing as more aging spacecraft face orbital decay from heightened solar activity. If successful, it could validate life-extension services for valuable science and government assets that were never designed for in-orbit rescue.