NASA is preparing to launch a robotic mission to save the Swift Observatory from reentering Earth’s atmosphere. Launched in 2004, the telescope’s orbit has been lowered by recent solar activity, including solar storms that increase atmospheric drag at higher altitudes. As a result, NASA says Swift is at risk of burning up during atmospheric reentry as early as this year unless corrective action is taken.

According to multiple reports, NASA has contracted Katalyst Space Technologies to carry out the operation. The company’s spacecraft—described as a three-armed, “rescue” vehicle—will launch and attempt to intercept Swift in orbit. Its objective is to boost the observatory into a higher orbit, giving it additional time to continue observing cosmic events, including major explosions.

Several outlets characterize the effort as a long-shot or “hail Mary” because the interception and maneuver must work precisely. Reporting also notes that the operation is viewed as potentially necessary for maintaining NASA’s current fleet of space telescopes, with some mention of future concern for other observatories if this type of risk is not managed.