Group 1 - NASA has signed a $30 million contract with a startup to launch a spacecraft to raise the orbit of the Swift Observatory satellite, which is at risk of falling to Earth by the end of next year due to atmospheric drag [1] - The Swift Observatory, launched in November 2004, is currently in low Earth orbit at an altitude of 585 kilometers and has a construction cost of $500 million [1] - The startup, Katalyst Space Technologies, plans to modify its spacecraft "Connector" for the mission, with a launch scheduled for May 2026 [1] Group 2 - Katalyst Space Technologies has invested $25 million in developing the "Connector" spacecraft and aims to keep its cost around $10 million [2] - The company acquired a spacecraft servicing firm in April, marking its entry into the in-orbit servicing sector [2] - A key challenge for the mission is to create a docking system compatible with the aging satellite, which was not designed for such interactions [1]

Group 1 - NASA has signed a $30 million contract with a startup to launch a spacecraft to raise the orbit of the Swift Observatory satellite, which is at risk of falling to Earth [1] - The Swift Observatory, launched in November 2004, is experiencing a decline in its orbital altitude due to increased atmospheric drag from heightened solar activity, with a 90% probability of re-entering the atmosphere by the end of next year [1] - The satellite, valued at $500 million, is currently in low Earth orbit at an altitude of 585 kilometers and is used for observing distant galaxies and black holes [1] Group 2 - The startup, Katalyst Space Technologies, plans to modify its "Connector" spacecraft starting in October, with a launch scheduled for May 2026 to rescue the aging satellite [1] - A key challenge for this mission is to develop a docking system compatible with the old satellite, which was not designed for such interactions [1] - Katalyst Space Technologies has invested $25 million in developing the "Connector" and aims to keep its cost around $10 million [2]

Core Viewpoint - NASA is collaborating with a startup to launch a commercial spacecraft to boost the orbit of the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, extending its operational lifespan [1] Group 1: NASA's Initiative - NASA announced a partnership with a startup, Katalyst Space Technologies, to launch a spacecraft for orbital boosting [1] - The mission aims to enhance the Swift Observatory's orbit due to accelerated orbital decay caused by increased atmospheric drag from recent solar activity [1] - The orbital boost mission is scheduled for spring 2026, with NASA monitoring solar activity to potentially adjust the timeline [1] Group 2: Swift Observatory Details - The Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, launched in 2004, primarily observes gamma-ray bursts in the universe [1] - The observatory has been operating in low Earth orbit, but its orbit is decaying faster than expected [1] - Typically, satellites re-enter the Earth's atmosphere at the end of their lifespan, but this initiative aims to prolong its scientific observations [1]