SWIFT SPACECRAFT LOSES TWO REACTION WHEELS

Reaction wheels are critical components that allow spacecraft to rotate and point at targets without expending fuel. Swift relies on these wheels to track gamma-ray bursts and other astronomical phenomena across the sky. The failures mark a significant challenge for the 21-year-old observatory, which has been in continuous operation since its 2004 launch. NASA engineers are assessing whether the spacecraft can continue its mission with a single functioning reaction wheel. Swift has detected thousands of gamma-ray bursts during its tenure, contributing substantially to understanding of these violent cosmic explosions. The space agency indicated it is evaluating operational options and potential workarounds to maintain scientific productivity. No timeline for resolution has been provided. The investigation into the root cause of the wheel failures is ongoing.