In a significant leap for innovation in the American space industry, NASA has awarded a groundbreaking contract to Katalyst Space Technologies, based in Flagstaff, Arizona. This contract aims to enhance the orbit of NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, utilizing Katalyst’s advanced robotic servicing spacecraft to raise the observatory to a higher altitude. This initiative is poised to not only extend the scientific life of the Swift mission but also demonstrate a pivotal capability for the future of space exploration.
Launched in 2004, the Swift spacecraft has been at the forefront of exploring the universe's most powerful explosions, known as gamma-ray bursts. Over time, Swift's orbit has gradually decayed, a common fate for satellites. However, recent increases in solar activity have led to unexpected atmospheric drag, accelerating this decay. Rather than allowing the observatory to reenter Earth's atmosphere, NASA sees this situation as a unique opportunity to advance spacecraft servicing technology in the United States.
“This industry collaboration to boost Swift’s orbit is just one of many ways NASA works for the nation every day,” stated Nicky Fox, associate administrator of the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “By swiftly pursuing innovative commercial solutions, we’re not only enhancing the space industry but also reinforcing American space leadership. This ambitious mission exemplifies our capacity to transition from concept to implementation in under a year, which is crucial as we prepare to send humans back to the Moon under the Artemis program and eventually to Mars and beyond.”
The targeted timeline for the orbit boost is slated for spring 2026. However, NASA will continuously monitor solar activity to ensure that any changes do not affect this schedule. If successful, this mission would mark the first instance of a commercial robotic spacecraft capturing a government satellite that was not originally designed for in-space servicing.
“Given how quickly Swift’s orbit is decaying, we are in a race against the clock,” remarked Shawn Domagal-Goldman, acting director of the Astrophysics Division at NASA Headquarters. “By leveraging commercial technologies that are already in development, we are effectively addressing this challenge head-on. This approach is both cost-effective and beneficial for the nation, as it expands the application of satellite servicing to a broader range of spacecraft.”
Swift is a leader among NASA’s fleet of space telescopes, focusing on the high-energy universe. When a sudden cosmic event occurs, Swift acts as a “dispatcher,” providing essential data that enables other missions to investigate further and deepen our understanding of the universe. For over two decades, Swift has contributed invaluable insights into phenomena such as exploding stars, stellar flares, active galaxies, comets, asteroids, and even high-energy lightning events on Earth.
Nasa has allocated $30 million to Katalyst under a Phase III award, as part of the agency's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program managed by the Space Technology Mission Directorate. This funding allows NASA to expedite the orbit boost for Swift, given the urgent need due to the rapid orbital decline of the observatory.
“America’s space economy is rich with cutting-edge solutions, and opportunities like this enable NASA to leverage these innovations for real-world challenges,” said Clayton Turner, associate administrator of NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate. “Orbital decay is a natural occurrence for satellites, and this collaboration could pave the way for extending the life of more spacecraft in the future, enhancing our technological capabilities and expanding the missions of today.”
The NASA SBIR program is part of America’s Seed Fund, which serves as the nation's largest source of early-stage, non-dilutive funding for innovative technologies. This initiative provides funding and support to entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses with fewer than 500 employees, helping them develop and commercialize technologies that further NASA’s missions while addressing critical challenges faced by the country.
The Swift mission is managed by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, in collaboration with several prestigious institutions, including Penn State University, Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, and Northrop Grumman Space Systems in Dulles, Virginia. The mission also benefits from partnerships with the UK Space Agency, the University of Leicester, and the Mullard Space Science Laboratory in the UK, as well as the Brera Observatory and the Italian Space Agency.
For more information about the Swift mission, please visit: NASA Swift Mission.
