Rescue satellite gets close to NASA's doomed telescope, even if it can't save it

A private rescue satellite mission for NASA’s Swift Observatory came within nine miles (15 kilometers) of the failing telescope and took pictures, more than a week after the official recovery attempt was abandoned. The three-armed robotic salvager operated by Katalyst Space Technologies had to back away due to low fuel, the company said. Link, the spacecraft, was originally sent to Swift in July, but it entered an uncontrollable spin; controllers stabilized it using limited propellant. NASA ultimately couldn’t boost the aging Swift into a higher, longer-lasting orbit. The mission cost NASA $30 million and also served as a practice exercise.