NASA Cancels Swift Boost, Ending 22-Year Gamma-Ray Observatory With No Replacement

NASA cancelled the Swift Boost mission on August 19, 2026, after Katalyst Space's LINK spacecraft developed an attitude control failure in late July. The $500 million Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, a gamma-ray burst detector operating since 2004, will re-enter and burn up later this year. No direct replacement with Swift's rapid-slew, multiwavelength coverage currently operates.