NASA’s 3,200-pound Swift space telescope crashes back to Earth over Indonesia after failed $30 million rescue mission

NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory re-entered Earth’s atmosphere after 22 years in orbit, ending its mission. Swift was crucial for understanding gamma-ray bursts and other cosmic events, detecting over 2,000 bursts. The spacecraft’s orbit deteriorated due to increased solar activity, leading to its uncontrolled descent. NASA attempted a rescue operation, but it ultimately failed, resulting in its re-entry on November 4, 2026.