NASA has initiated a new effort to potentially raise the orbit of the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory spacecraft to a higher altitude and extend its mission.
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Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory Orbit Boost Design Studies
The agency said Monday Cambrian Works and Katalyst Space Technologies were awarded $150,000 each to develop concept design studies to determine if an orbit boost is plausible. The studies, funded through NASA’s Small Business Innovation Research program, will help the agency decide whether to extend the mission or replace Swift’s capabilities with a new satellite.
In addition, Starfish Space will study the feasibility of leveraging its Small Spacecraft Propulsion and Inspection Capability, a technology currently in development under a Phase III SBIR award, to perform the Swift orbit boost.
NASA Swift Mission
The NASA Swift mission, launched in 2004, has been instrumental in monitoring changes in the universe. Its primary function is to investigate gamma-ray bursts and send data to other NASA and partner telescopes to observe these events further.
With the satellite’s low Earth orbit gradually decaying and recent solar activity accelerating its decline, the agency is exploring the possibility of developing advanced capabilities that could extend the mission and boost space innovation.
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