NASA launches an emergency, robot-assisted mission aimed at preventing the aging Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory from reentering Earth’s atmosphere. Multiple reports say the spacecraft, called Lift, is being built and operated by US startup Katalyst Space Technologies under a NASA contract reported to be about $30 million. Swift, which has been observing the sky since 2004, is expected to start burning up in the atmosphere if left to its current trajectory. The plan focuses on catching up with Swift in orbit before using Lift’s three robotic arms to latch onto the observatory and raise it to a higher orbit. Launch is described as taking place on a Pegasus rocket from the Marshall Islands, with a subsequent period of roughly a month spent approaching Swift and preparing the capture maneuver. Live Science and other outlets report that the telescope is slated to enter the atmosphere later this year, while the rescue effort is timed for this summer. Several sources also note that a successful outcome could demonstrate satellite servicing capabilities and extend Swift’s operational life by years, with some outlets mentioning implications for future missions.