NASA aborts attempt to save dying space telescope

A rendering of the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory.

Image: NASA NASA is calling off an attempt to save a space observatory falling out of orbit, dooming it to a fiery death in Earth's atmosphere.

Why it matters: The Swift Boost Mission was an ambitious effort to rescue the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory and demonstrate the concept of grabbing onto and moving a satellite.

Driving the news: NASA canceled the attempt after weeks of attitude control issues plagued LINK, a privately built spacecraft designed to rendezvous with Swift, grab on and push it to a higher, more stable orbit.

Swift had fallen into an unstable orbit earlier than expected and has no propulsion system of its own to raise its orbit.

Yes, but: LINK will still try to meet up with Swift and conduct "proximity operations" to learn as much as possible about the concept of satellite relocation.

What they're saying: "This is not the outcome we were working toward, but it does not change why this mission was worth attempting," NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said in a statement.

"The team moved with extraordinary speed to give Swift a chance to carry out more science while advancing capabilities America will need for satellite servicing in the future." "We are going to learn everything we can from LINK's rendezvous attempt and put those lessons to work on the missions that follow." What's next: Swift is expected to burn up in Earth's atmosphere later this year.

NASA said in a statement: "As part of the agency's previous planning for Swift's end of life, NASA will continue to prioritize finding new options to react rapidly to cosmic events, using current missions to help fill the gap in the meantime."