Rescue mission is called off for NASA's aging Swift space telescope
NASA called off a rescue mission for its aging Swift space telescope, which will now fall back through Earth's atmosphere later this year. NASA leadership said the mission was worth attempting despite the unsuccessful outcome.
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National story. 45 articles from 36 sources. 35 are on the bar; 1 is an international, entertainment or tech outlet, listed separately. Updated Aug 21, 2026.
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7 sourcesRescue mission for aging NASA space telescope fails
NASA calls off rescue mission for its falling Swift space telescope
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24 sourcesNASA scraps mission to save Swift telescope that will plunge toward Earth
NASA calls off mission to save Swift telescope, which will plunge into Earth's atmosphere and burn
'This is not the outcome we were working towards': $30 million mission to save NASA's Swift telescope fails
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4 sourcesMission to save NASA’s aging Swift space telescope called off after rescue spacecraft loses control
Rescue mission is called off for NASA’s aging Swift space telescope
Rescue mission for aging NASA space telescope fails
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The story so far
2 developments- Aug 19Rescue mission is called off for NASA's aging Swift space telescope
- Aug 20Only center coverage:NASA space telescope to plunge through atmosphere after rescue mission called off
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Quiet for 58 daysLast development · Aug 20 — NASA space telescope to plunge through atmosphere after rescue mission called off
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