The robot NASA hired to lift a orbital telescope is tumbling out of control

The robot designed to lift NASA’s Swift orbital telescope has gone into an uncontrolled tumble, putting the telescope’s rescue at immediate risk. If the robot cannot be stabilized, NASA could lose valuable observation time from Swift, a key asset for transient astrophysics.

Ars Technica details how the loss of wheel control leaves the craft spinning in orbit, while AP News notes the private contractor’s rescue effort has run into its own trouble. The private nature of the rescue adds uncertainty to the recovery timeline; while NASA still plans to retrieve Swift, the robot’s instability means additional engineering fixes will be required before the telescope can be lifted safely.

NASA’s schedule for upcoming observations may need to be adjusted pending the outcome. Future updates will depend on whether the contractor can restore wheel function or replace the hardware altogether.