Mission underway to save aging NASA satellite in space

(CBS, KYMA) - An urgent and historic mission is underway to save an aging NASA satellite in space.

NASA says its Swift Observatory telescope is falling back to earth faster than expected due to recent solar activity.

To save it from burning up, the agency is set to launch a daring commercial robot rescue mission as soon as Wednesday.

NASA hopes the spacecraft will dock with Swift, grab it with three robotic arms, and raise the telescope's orbit about 150 miles, which would take four months.

"We're trying to do one of the most technically complex things (on cam) in space on an incredibly accelerated timeline," said Ghonhee Lee, CEO of Katalyst Space. "This is a high risk, high reward mission."

NASA launched the $500 million Swift telescope in 2004 to pinpoint the biggest explosions in the universe.

If the mission is a success, its life could be extended another ten years, but if it fails, Swift could come out of orbit by the end of the year.