Swift Finishes Its Long Science Mission

Adapted by News by Levels October 24, 2026

The mission ends, but its data remains.

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Science news editorial illustration for Swift Ends Its Science Mission After Nearly 22 Years

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that had , with its on 20. in its .

The is to the in . 22 of for .

Source: NASA, 2026-10-23.

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Read and understand · 1/2What prevents steady telescope pointing? A temporary instrument-upgrade programme A planned flight to a higher orbit Greater atmospheric drag

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Greater atmospheric drag. The opening identifies drag.

Clue: NASA announced that Swift’s science mission had ended, with its final observation on October 20. Greater atmospheric drag in its low orbit prevents stable telescope pointing.

Read and understand · 2/2Which part is still a future expectation? Atmospheric re-entry The October20 observation The announcement of the mission’s end

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Atmospheric re-entry. Re-entry is described as expected.

Clue: The spacecraft is expected to re-enter the atmosphere in coming weeks. Nearly 22 years of archived observations remain available for research.

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Separate the final observation from the expected re-entry.

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Observations ended before the announcement. Re-entry is expected later; archived data remains useful.

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Swift Finishes Its Long Science Mission

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