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NASA races to save Swift telescope from falling back to Earth with daring rescue mission
By Marcia Dunn, Associated Press at KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC)
· 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 Magnolia News
As NASA embarks on this daring rescue mission to save the Swift telescope, the success of this operation has significant implications for the local community in Magnolia , Texas, and the broader Houston area. With NASA's Johnson Space Center located nearby, the region is home to a thriving aerospace industry, and the development of innovative space technologies like Katalyst's robotic lifesaver has the potential to create new opportunities for local businesses and talent. The fact that NASA has partnered with a startup like Katalyst Space Technologies to undertake this mission also highlights the importance of collaboration between government agencies and private industry in driving innovation and advancement in the field. If successful, this mission could pave the way for similar rescue operations, including potentially saving the Hubble Space Telescope, which would be a major boon for the local scientific community and the region's reputation as a hub for space exploration and research.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC) . Magnolia 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 KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 28, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
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 KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for Magnolia News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Marcia Dunn, Associated Press at KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how Magnolia News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Magnolia News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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