safety
Rescue mission launches to save NASA telescope that's falling back to Earth
By Marcia Dunn, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News
· July 3, 2026
· 2 min read
A three-armed spacecraft rocketed into orbit Friday to rescue a NASA telescope that’s in danger of crashing back to Earth. Northrop Grumman launched Katalyst Space Technologies’ Link spacecraft from the Marshall Islands in the Pacific. The Pegasus rocket blasted off from the belly of a modified a...
Key takeaway Launched in 2004, Swift is sinking faster than ever because of recent solar storms.
Why this matters in Alamo Heights News
For residents of Alamo Heights , the rescue mission of NASA's Swift Observatory is a notable development, given the community's proximity to San Antonio, a city with a rich history of aerospace innovation. The success of this mission could have implications for future space operations, potentially paving the way for similar salvage operations, such as the possible rescue of the Hubble Space Telescope in a few years. The fact that Katalyst Space Technologies was able to assemble the mission in just nine months is a testament to the capabilities of the space industry, and the $30 million price tag is a significant investment in the continued operation of the Swift Observatory. As the Link spacecraft works to boost the telescope's orbit, locals can take pride in the fact that San Antonio's news outlets, such as KSAT 12, are providing timely coverage of this high-stakes space mission.
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: safety ·
Published: July 3, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A three-armed spacecraft rocketed into orbit Friday to rescue a NASA telescope that’s in danger of crashing back to Earth. Northrop Grumman launched Katalyst Space Technologies’ Link spacecraft from the Marshall Islands in the Pacific. The Pegasus rocket blasted off from the belly of a modified a...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 3, 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 safety coverage from Alamo Heights News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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