NASA's Swift Observatory Re-enters Atmosphere After 20 Years

NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory re-entered Earth's atmosphere over Sumatra, Indonesia, after 20 years in orbit, following a failed rescue mission costing over €20 million. The re-entry was predicted last summer due to solar activity, and the loss ends the telescope's gamma-ray burst detection capabilities. The event is routine for aging satellites, but the failed rescue highlights challenges in orbital maintenance.

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