News by Levels · Level 3 · Student worksheet

Swift Leaves an Archive After Operations End

Name: __________________________ Date: __________________

Read the story

Swift’s declining orbit has ended its observing mission: atmospheric drag now prevents the telescopes from maintaining steady aim, NASA reported on October 23.

Its last observation occurred three days earlier. Atmospheric re-entry is expected within weeks, while its extensive public archive offers material for future discoveries.

Operational cessation and archival research have different timelines. A telescope can stop acquiring observations while its dataset continues to support analysis. Similarly, the last observation is a completed event, distinct from the spacecraft’s projected atmospheric re-entry.

Editorial correction, 26 October 2026: We reviewed source attribution, wording and reading practice, correcting unsupported claims where needed. This is a retrospective archive review; the original publication date is retained.

Source: Sources checked 26 October 2026. https://science.nasa.gov/missions/swift/nasas-swift-mission-ends/

Read and practise

1. How can research continue after observations stop?

   1. Scientists can analyse stored data
   2. The satellite must still be taking new pictures
   3. The mission’s last observation never occurred

2. Which events should be dated separately?

   1. Every stored observation and the same final observation
   2. Final observation and atmospheric re-entry
   3. A press release and all future discoveries as one event

Your turn

Explain how an ended mission can still support future discoveries.

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Read online: https://newsbylevels.com/news/nasa-swift-science-mission-ends-october-2026/level-3/