NASA plans to rescue the Swift telescope using a rocket launched from an airplane

NASA is attempting a unique mission to save the Swift telescope, which is losing altitude and risks disintegrating in Earth's atmosphere by late 2026. A private company, Katalyst Space Technologies, will use a Pegasus XL rocket launched from an aircraft to capture and boost the telescope back into a higher orbit, extending its lifespan by at least ten years. This unprecedented operation, if successful, would mark the first time a government scientific satellite is retrieved and serviced by a private entity, potentially revolutionizing orbital servicing.