Swift Observatory to Enter Earth's Atmosphere on November 6, 2026
According to the United States Space Force, the Swift Observatory will enter Earth's atmosphere on November 6, 2026. After 22 years of operation, the approximately 1.5-ton spacecraft will end its mission. Some fragments may fall to Earth, but they are most likely to reach the ocean.
The Swift Observatory was launched into orbit in November 2004. It studied gamma-ray bursts and supernova explosions, recording over 2,000 of the former and approximately 1,400 of the latter.
As it descends, the spacecraft will largely disintegrate and burn up in the dense atmosphere. Only the most durable parts, including tungsten components and mirror fragments, may reach the surface. The potential impact zone includes Africa, Australia, India, Southeast Asia, as well as Central and South America.
In July, NASA deployed the robotic tug Link to increase Swift's orbital altitude. Due to a malfunction in the orientation system, the tug began spinning and lost communication, preventing it from capturing the observatory. Later, NASA concluded the telescope's operations as its orbit continued to decay and atmospheric drag increased.
