NASA announced on October 23, 2026, that the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory had ended its science mission. Orbiting less than 171 miles, or 275 kilometers, above Earth, the satellite encountered atmospheric drag that prevented its telescopes from holding steadily on astronomical targets. It made its final observation on October 20. Launched on November 20, 2004, for a two-year primary mission, Swift remained productive for more than two decades. It observed over 2,000 gamma-ray bursts and more than 1,400 supernova explosions, while its data contributed to about 7,000 published papers. Its public archive spans roughly 12 terabytes and includes more than 1.5 million ultraviolet-optical images.
SpaceBriefs
NASA’s Swift mission ends after more than two decades
The observatory leaves a major public archive focused on gamma-ray bursts and the transient universe.
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Sources
- NASA’s Swift Mission Ends, Leaves Behind Scientific BonanzaNASA · October 23, 2026