The scientific satellite is expected to re-enter the atmosphere late Tuesday night, in a band near the equator that covers parts of Africa, Asia, and Latin America
The goal was to gain several more years of observations. The urgency was imposed by the Sun. Its activity intensified drag in the upper atmosphere and sped up the descent of Swift, which had been operating for more than two decades despite being conceived for an initial two-year mission.
Not bad, it clocked 10x the original mission duration.
Not bad, it clocked 10x the original mission duration.