Swift telescope nears end of mission

The Swift space telescope, which has been orbiting Earth for 22 years, is now in its final phase before it is expected to burn up in the atmosphere. After losing altitude due to solar radiation and an unsuccessful emergency mission, all of its instruments have been powered down, and its descent is imminent.

NASA and US Space Force monitoring descent

Currently, the telescope is no longer under active tracking by NASA or the US Space Force, and the focus is now on predicting where and when it will re-enter Earth’s atmosphere. According to Space.com, simulations suggest that Swift will re-enter on Friday, November 7, 2026.

Descent planned to be natural

Researchers from Pennsylvania State University have ensured that all systems are turned off, allowing the telescope to descend naturally due to atmospheric density. The final moments of Swift’s journey will last only a few minutes, as it enters the atmosphere.

Low risk of collision with satellites

Good news for the space community: Swift has already fallen below the 275-kilometer altitude threshold, which means it has avoided most of the satellite constellations higher up. The chances of a collision were already slim, and it is now lower than the International Space Station (ISS), making its descent safer.

Telescope likely to disintegrate completely

Although larger than a typical Starlink satellite, Swift is expected to be completely disintegrated upon re-entry. At an altitude of 120 kilometers, the friction of the air will heat the structure, and by 78 kilometers, the solar panels and antennas will disintegrate, with the rest of the telescope following shortly after.

Minimal risk to Earth

The risk of any debris reaching the ground is extremely low, and NASA has not issued a public risk statement. Simulations suggest that if any parts of the telescope do reach Earth, they would likely fall into the ocean. The descent is expected to occur near the equator, passing over areas like Sao Paulo, Chile, South Africa, Botswana, or Australia, but mostly over oceans.

Final location known only at last moment

The exact location of the re-entry will not be known until the telescope is almost completely disintegrated, leaving only a few minutes of warning. NASA may search for fragments afterward, but nothing identifiable is expected to remain, as the scientific instruments are not designed to survive re-entry.