Swift Observatory reenters Earth's atmosphere
NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory reentered Earth's atmosphere over northern Sumatra on Nov. 4 after an uncontrolled descent. The 3,200-pound spacecraft was expected to mostly burn up, with a 1 in 2,100 chance that surviving pieces could hurt someone.
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NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, a 3,200-pound spacecraft launched in 2004, was expected to reenter Earth's atmosphere around 3:30 a.m. EST on Nov. 4. Its final science observation was on Oct. 20, and a private rescue mission had failed, leaving the descent uncontrolled. Surviving fragments were expected to fall between 20.6 degrees south and north latitude, with a 1 in 2,100 risk to humans. On Nov. 4, the observatory reentered over northern Sumatra, 22 years after launch.
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2 updates · newest first- 4 NovNew development
NASA's Swift telescope falls to Earth after failed rescue
NASA's Swift Gamma-Ray Burst Explorer reentered Earth's atmosphere over northern Sumatra on Nov. 4, 22 years after launch and three months after a private spacecraft was to boost it. The 3,200-pound observatory was expected to mostly burn up, with a 1 in 2,100 chance of surviving pieces hurting someone. Swift had studied gamma-ray bursts and other cosmic bodies until its final science observation on Oct. 20.
Space.com ↗
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- 3 NovNew development
Swift Observatory to reenter Earth's atmosphere Wednesday
NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, a 3,200-pound spacecraft launched in 2004, is expected to reenter Earth's atmosphere around 3:30 a.m. EST on November 4. Most of the observatory will burn up, though surviving fragments may fall between 20.6 degrees south and north latitude. The risk to humans is estimated at 1 in 2,100, and the reentry is uncontrolled after a private rescue mission failed.
Live Science ↗
The Guardian ↗