# After LINK mission failure, Swift reenters atmosphere

Source: [Astronomy Magazine](https://www.astronomy.com/science/link-to-meet-with-swift-but-wont-boost/) · 2026-11-09 · Space
Page: https://themorning.science/story/after-link-mission-failure-swift-reenters-atmosphere-2779953e87aa9aa7
Kind: other · Impact: medium

## In brief

- Swift reentered Earth's atmosphere on Nov. 4, 2026, ending its nearly 22-year mission.
- NASA announced on Aug. 19, 2026, that the Katalyst Space LINK spacecraft, built to meet Swift, would not boost it.
- The LINK mission failed, and Swift was not rescued from its decaying orbit.

## Why it matters

Swift was a long-running space observatory, so its reentry ends a major source of astronomical observations. The case also shows how hard it is to rescue aging satellites in orbit.

## Timeline

- 2026-08-19: NASA announces the Katalyst Space LINK spacecraft will meet with Swift but will not boost it
- 2026-11-04: Swift reenters Earth's atmosphere, ending its nearly 22-year mission

## Coverage

- [After LINK mission failure, Swift reenters atmosphere](https://www.astronomy.com/science/link-to-meet-with-swift-but-wont-boost/) — Astronomy Magazine, 2026-11-09

Tags: swift, nasa, satellite reentry, space missions, space debris

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Brief generated by AI (claude-haiku-5-5) from the reporting listed under Coverage. Headlines belong to their publishers. The Morning Science – https://themorning.science