Spaceflight Daily Report, Saturday 24th October 2026

Render of Swift in orbit. Image credit: NASA.

Conclusion of Swift Science Mission

Following the failure of the Swift Boost mission, the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory has concluded its science mission. The space telescope had been brought back online following the failure to continue observing gamma ray bursts, but has now fallen low enough that it cannot maintain attitude control under the increased atmospheric drag, and has been commanded to shut down. It is expected to be destroyed by the atmosphere within the next few weeks. [Source: NASA]

Other notes

• Shenzhou 24, the next crewed mission to the Tiangong space station, has been scheduled for 25th November. More details, such as the crew, will likely not be announced until shortly before the launch. [Source: The Nation]
• The launch of Amazon Leo LV-01 aboard a Vulcan Centaur, originally scheduled for 29th October, has slipped to no earlier than November. [Source: Next Spaceflight]