The observatory telescope’s final viewing came on Oct. 20.<\/p>\n
END OF AN ERA AS NASA TELESCOPE THAT DETECTED THOUSANDS OF GAMMA-RAY BURSTS NEARS ITS FINAL DAYS<\/a><\/p>\n Swift exceeded expectations on its long journey in space<\/a>: it was originally designed to last two years, but has significantly surpassed that mark.<\/p>\n The satellite was first launched in 2004 to explore the universe\u2019s most powerful explosions, called gamma-ray bursts.<\/p>\n The completed Swift spacecraft is seen in a clean room at NASA Goddard on Sept. 9, 2003.<\/p>\n (NASA \/ NASA)<\/p>\n Now the satellite is returning home, as the Space Force predicts that the roughly 3,200-pound spacecraft will re-enter our atmosphere at around 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday, with an uncertainty of an additional plus or minus 11 hours.<\/p>\n According to NASA, most of the spacecraft<\/a> is expected to burn up as it travels<\/a> through the atmosphere, but some components are likely to survive reentry.<\/p>\n HAVE YOU SEEN THESE STRANGE LIGHTS IN THE SKY? NASA WANTS YOUR PHOTOS TO HELP SCIENTISTS<\/a><\/p>\n Thankfully, the risk of anyone being hurt as a result of this event on Earth<\/a> is unlikely.<\/p>\n NASA\u2019s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory orbits above Earth in this artist\u2019s concept.<\/p>\n (NASA\u2019s Goddard Space Flight Center Conceptual Image Lab \/ NASA)<\/p>\n Reentry locations could vary from hemisphere to hemisphere, but ultimately depend on the time it occurs.<\/p>\n Swift has made a long journey that has expanded our knowledge of a wide range of mysteries in our universe, from active galaxies powered by supermassive black holes and stars undergoing X-ray flares, to supernova explosions, comets and asteroids in our own solar system.<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/swift_observatory_neil-scaled.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"NASA\u2019s](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/swift_in_space_15_ac-1.jpg\")
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