NASA is initiating a $30 million rescue mission to prevent the Swift Observatory from crashing into Earth.
The mission utilizes a specialized robotic spacecraft, Lift, to maneuver the telescope into a higher, stable orbit.
Recent intense solar activity has significantly accelerated the orbital decay of the 20-year-old satellite.
This project serves as a test case for future satellite servicing and potential life-extension missions for assets like the Hubble Space Telescope.