NASA's Swift Telescope Back Online

NASA's Swift telescope is back online with two of its three science instruments after technical problems, but its time in operation is limited. The Ultraviolet/Optical Telescope and X-ray Telescope were switched back on August 26, 2026, allowing the spacecraft to resume its study of the universe.

The Burst Alert Telescope, the third science instrument, has not yet resumed science operations. However, the team expects to restore it to data collection within the next few weeks. The instrument was shut down in April to reduce the spacecraft's power needs and minimize atmospheric drag.

Swift has been in operation for 21 years, serving as one of NASA's most versatile observatories. It studies the universe across multiple wavelengths of light and is especially valuable for tracking sudden, short-lived cosmic events. The spacecraft's ability to quickly turn toward the source of an outburst and alert other observatories has made it a crucial tool for astronomers.

## Why it matters The spacecraft is located in low Earth orbit, which makes it susceptible to atmospheric drag. Recent solar activity has caused the Earth's upper atmosphere to expand, increasing the drag on Swift. Without a propulsion system to raise its orbit, the spacecraft is being pulled downward faster than expected. This means that Swift may only have another month or two before it falls below a critical operating altitude, ending its 21-year mission.

The return of Swift's two science instruments is a temporary reprieve, but the clock is ticking. The spacecraft's impending demise highlights the challenges of operating in low Earth orbit, where atmospheric drag can be a major obstacle. As Swift's time runs out, scientists will be racing to make the most of the data it can collect in its final weeks of operation.