A first-of-its-kind robotic rescue mission launched 3 July 2026 from Kwajalein Atoll to save NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory from atmospheric reentry. The LINK spacecraft, built by Katalyst Space Technologies under a $30 million contract, will rendezvous with the 22-year-old telescope, grapple it with three robotic arms, and elevate its orbit from 220–240 miles to 370 miles over 2–3 months. This experimental maneuver, deployed via Northrop Grumman’s air-launched Pegasus XL rocket, aims to extend Swift’s operational life by at least 10 years, enabling full scientific observations by fall 2026. If successful, the mission pioneers a cost-effective model for servicing uncrewed spacecraft never designed for in-space intervention, reshaping satellite lifecycle management and debris mitigation in the sector.