Nasa launches robotic mission to rescue falling Swift space telescope

A Nasa-funded spacecraft has been launched to intercept and boost the Swift observatory, which is at risk of crashing to Earth due to increased solar activity.

• The LINK spacecraft, built by Katalyst Space Technologies, launched on Friday and will attempt to grab Swift with three robotic arms.
• The Swift observatory's orbit has lowered from 373 miles to around 220 miles over the past two years because of drag from an expanded atmosphere.
• Katalyst Chief Executive Ghonhee Lee stated that the rescue must occur before Swift descends below 186 miles, a window that gave the team less than a year.
• LINK will fire its engines to slowly raise Swift's orbit back to a stable altitude over two to three months, according to space scientist Simeon Barber.