local
NASA races to save Swift telescope from falling back to Earth with daring rescue mission
By Marcia Dunn, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio
· June 28, 2026
· 4 min read
NASA is racing to save an aging telescope from falling back to Earth with a daring rescue mission. The $30 million salvage operation gets underway as soon as this week with the planned launch of a robotic lifesaver. NASA hired startup Katalyst Space Technologies to boost the Swift Observatory to ...
Key takeaway A three-armed spacecraft built by Katalyst will chase after Swift once it takes off from an atoll in the Pacific's Marshall Islands aboard an airplane-launched Pegasus rocket.
Why this matters in Terrell Hills News
As NASA embarks on a daring rescue mission to save the Swift telescope, the success of this operation has significant implications for the local community in Terrell Hills . With NASA's Johnson Space Center being a major player in the nation's space program, located just a few hours away in Houston, the San Antonio area is closely tied to the space industry. The rescue mission's use of innovative technology developed by startup Katalyst Space Technologies also highlights the growing importance of private space companies in the region. If successful, this mission could pave the way for future collaborations between NASA and local space startups, potentially bringing new economic opportunities and jobs to the area. Furthermore, the rescue of the Swift telescope ensures the continued study of cosmic phenomena, which could have a direct impact on the understanding of space weather and its effects on the local community's communication and navigation systems.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio . Terrell Hills News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 28, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? NASA is racing to save an aging telescope from falling back to Earth with a daring rescue mission. The $30 million salvage operation gets underway as soon as this week with the planned launch of a robotic lifesaver. NASA hired startup Katalyst Space Technologies to boost the Swift Observatory to ...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 28, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio and curated for Terrell Hills News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Marcia Dunn, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio. To learn more about how Terrell Hills News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Terrell Hills News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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