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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 affiliate)
· 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 The San Antonio
The rescue mission to save the Swift telescope has significant implications for San Antonio 's role in the space industry. As a city with a growing presence in the field, the success of this mission could pave the way for future collaborations between NASA and local startups. The fact that NASA hired Katalyst Space Technologies, a startup, to lead this effort suggests that the city's entrepreneurial spirit is being recognized and leveraged by major players in the industry. If the mission is successful, it could also demonstrate the potential for San Antonio to become a hub for space-related innovation and technology, potentially attracting new businesses and investments to the area. With the city's strong military and academic presence, a thriving space industry could be a natural fit, and the Swift rescue mission may be just the beginning of this exciting new chapter.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio 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 affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 28, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
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 affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Marcia Dunn, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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