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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 KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News
· 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 Alamo Heights News
As NASA embarks on this ambitious rescue mission, the success of the Swift telescope salvage operation has significant implications for the San Antonio area's thriving aerospace industry. With NASA's Johnson Space Center and various private space companies having a presence in the region, a successful mission could pave the way for more collaborations and innovations in space technology. The fact that a startup like Katalyst Space Technologies is leading the charge in this mission highlights the growing importance of private space companies in the region. If Katalyst's autonomous spacecraft, Link, is able to successfully boost the Swift telescope to a higher orbit, it could demonstrate the viability of such missions and potentially lead to more opportunities for local space companies to work with NASA and other major players in the industry. This, in turn, could have a positive impact on the local economy and cement San Antonio's reputation as a hub for aerospace innovation.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News . Alamo Heights 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) - San Antonio News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 28, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News ·
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) - San Antonio News and curated for Alamo Heights News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Marcia Dunn, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News. To learn more about how Alamo Heights News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Alamo Heights News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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