NASA Is Trying to Rescue a Sinking Space Telescope Before It's Too Late

After spending more than 20 years unlocking some of the universe's biggest mysteries, one of NASA's most successful space telescopes is in trouble. Now, the agency is attempting something that's rarely been done before: sending a spacecraft into orbit to rescue it.

The Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, launched in 2004, has spent decades studying gamma-ray bursts—the incredibly powerful explosions created when massive stars collapse into black holes or when ultra-dense neutron stars collide. These cosmic blasts are among the most energetic events ever observed, and Swift has helped scientists better understand how the universe works.

But now the telescope itself is running out of time.

Why Swift Is Falling Toward Earth

Like every satellite in low-Earth orbit, Swift gradually loses altitude because of atmospheric drag. Normally, that happens very slowly, but an unusually active sun has sped up the process.

During the recent solar maximum—the peak of the sun's 11-year activity cycle—increased solar storms heated Earth's upper atmosphere, causing it to expand. That thicker atmosphere creates more drag on satellites like Swift, pulling them closer to Earth much faster than expected.

NASA predicts the telescope's orbit could drop below a critical altitude of about 185 miles above Earth as early as October. If that happens, Swift would eventually re-enter the atmosphere and burn up.

NASA's Rescue Mission

Rather than letting the observatory fall, NASA is giving it a second chance.

The agency awarded a $30 million contract to Arizona-based Katalyst Space Technologies to develop a robotic spacecraft called LINK, while Northrop Grumman is providing the launch system.

The mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than Wednesday after weather delayed the original attempt.

Here's how it will work:

• A Northrop Grumman Stargazer aircraft will take off from the Marshall Islands.
• At about 40,000 feet, the aircraft will release a Pegasus XL rocket.
• The rocket will carry the LINK spacecraft into orbit.
• LINK will then rendezvous with Swift, capture it, and gradually raise the telescope into a safer, more stable orbit over several months.

If successful, the mission could significantly extend Swift's operational life.

More Than Just Saving One Satellite

NASA officials say this mission is about much more than preserving a single observatory.

Swift was never designed to be serviced in space. It has no onboard engines capable of raising its own orbit or docking with another spacecraft. If LINK succeeds, it could prove that older satellites can be repaired, repositioned, upgraded, or extended—even if they weren't originally built for servicing.

That could dramatically change the future of satellite operations.

According to Penn State astronomy professor John Nousek, restoring a spacecraft that originally cost around $300 millionto build for just $30 million is an incredible value compared to launching an entirely new mission.

A Telescope That Has Already Changed Astronomy

Swift's original mission was only expected to last two years.

Instead, it has spent more than two decades making groundbreaking discoveries. The observatory has studied more than 1,400 gamma-ray bursts, including the most distant one ever detected—an explosion from a star roughly 13 billion light-years away, giving scientists a glimpse into the early universe.

Those discoveries have made Swift one of NASA's most productive space observatories.

A Big Test for the Future of Space Exploration

Successfully catching and moving a free-flying satellite is no easy task. Engineers acknowledge that orbital rendezvous remains one of the most technically challenging operations in spaceflight.

Still, NASA and Katalyst believe they're ready.

If the mission succeeds, it won't just save Swift—it could open the door to a future where satellites are routinely repaired, upgraded, and reused instead of being discarded when their fuel runs out or their orbits begin to decay.

For NASA, rescuing Swift isn't just about preserving a telescope. It's about proving that the next era of space exploration may include fixing spacecraft instead of replacing them.

Budweiser Is Buying America a Beer for the Fourth of July — Here's How to Get Yours

If you're planning to celebrate Independence Day with a cold beer, Budweiser may be picking up part of the tab.

To celebrate America's birthday, the iconic beer brand has launched "America's Tab," a limited-time promotion that gives eligible adults the chance to receive a $6 digital gift card—just enough to help cover the cost of a beer or your favorite beverage.

Budweiser says the campaign is its way of thanking the generations of Americans who have made the brand a part of backyard barbecues, holiday celebrations, and everyday moments.

How to Claim Your $6 Gift Card

Starting June 29, U.S. residents who are 21 or older can visit Budweiser's America's Tab website and submit their:

• Name
• Email address
• Date of birth
• ZIP code

Once eligibility is verified, participants will receive a $6 digital gift card by email.

The promotion runs through July 5, or until Budweiser's $150,000 giveaway fund has been exhausted, so signing up early is your best bet.

Who Can Participate?

The offer is available to most legal U.S. residents ages 21 and over. However, residents of California and Texas are not eligible for the promotion. Budweiser has not publicly explained why those two states are excluded.

Giving Back This Fourth of July

The celebration isn't just about free beer.

Budweiser also announced it will donate a portion of its bar and restaurant sales—up to $1.5 million—to Folds of Honor, a nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of fallen or disabled military service members.

Americans Love Their Beer

The promotion comes as Americans prepare to spend billions celebrating the Fourth of July. According to a recent WalletHub analysis, Americans are expected to spend roughly $4 billion on beer and wine leading up to Independence Day. A separate Morning Consult survey also found that beer is the alcoholic beverage most closely associated with America.

If you're eligible, Budweiser's America's Tab could make your holiday celebration just a little more refreshing—at least until the giveaway runs out.

VOTE HERE

Image Credit: United States Mint

Check Your Change: Rare “July 4th” Quarters Are About to Hit Circulation

The next time you get change back from a cash purchase, take a closer look at those quarters. You could be holding a rare piece of American history.

To celebrate America's 250th birthday in 2026, the U.S. Mint is releasing a limited number of special-edition quarters featuring a unique "July 4th" privy mark. Only 250,000 of these commemorative coins will be randomly distributed into circulation across the country, making them a potential treasure for collectors and everyday Americans alike.

The new coin is part of the U.S. Mint's Semiquincentennial celebration, marking 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

"This is more than a coin; it's a defining moment in our nation's story," said U.S. Mint Director Paul Hollis. "We hope Americans enjoy the search for these iconic quarters as they're meant to be shared, saved, and remembered as part of this historic anniversary."

What Makes These Quarters Special?

The limited-edition quarters feature a small "July 4th" privy mark located to the left of President Thomas Jefferson on the front of the coin.

On the reverse side, the design showcases the iconic Liberty Bell, including its famous crack. According to the Mint, the imagery symbolizes both the nation's founding and the challenges faced during America's earliest years.

The special quarters are already being distributed to banks and financial institutions nationwide and are expected to begin appearing in circulation before Independence Day.

Image Credit: United States Mint

Part of a Larger 250th Anniversary Coin Collection

The Declaration of Independence Quarter is just one piece of the U.S. Mint's broader America 250 coin program.

Throughout 2026, collectors will see redesigned versions of several familiar coins, including pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and half-dollars, all created to commemorate the nation's milestone anniversary. Some of these coins are intended for collectors, while others will enter everyday circulation.

Coin enthusiasts, known as numismatists, are already keeping a close eye on these releases as interest in commemorative currency continues to grow.

A Coin Hunt for Everyday Americans

What makes these quarters especially exciting is that they won't be sold directly to the public in special sets. Instead, they'll be mixed into everyday circulation, turning a routine trip to the grocery store, gas station, or coffee shop into a nationwide treasure hunt.

So before you toss that pocket change into a jar, take a second look. One of those quarters could be a rare piece of America's 250th birthday celebration—and a collectible you'll want to hold onto long after the fireworks fade.

Next year, the U.S. Mint is expected to return to its traditional coin designs, making these anniversary editions a truly limited-time opportunity for collectors and history buffs alike.

California Moves to Ban Sales of Glock-Style Handguns

California is tightening its firearm laws once again, this time targeting some of the most popular semiautomatic handguns sold in the state.

Under Assembly Bill 1127, licensed firearm dealers will no longer be allowed to sell certain semiautomatic pistols that state lawmakers classify as "machinegun-convertible pistols." The legislation is aimed primarily at Glock-style handguns and other firearms that can be modified with aftermarket parts to fire automatically.

What's Changing?

The new law creates a legal category for handguns that can be relatively easily converted into fully automatic weapons. According to lawmakers, these modifications can be made using inexpensive aftermarket devices, making the firearms a growing concern for public safety.

As a result, licensed gun stores in California will be prohibited from selling newly stocked firearms that meet the state's new definition.

What the Law Doesn't Do

For current gun owners, the law does not require anyone to surrender their firearms.

Anyone who already legally owns a Glock-style handgun can continue to possess it. The legislation also leaves private-party transfers intact, meaning individuals can still legally buy, sell, or trade qualifying firearms with one another, provided they follow existing state laws.

In short, the restriction applies primarily to commercial retail sales rather than personal ownership.

Questions Still Remain

While the law has been approved, some important details remain unclear.

The bill does not specifically address what will happen to inventory that gun dealers already purchased before the law takes effect. It is also uncertain whether retailers will be given a grace period to sell existing stock.

Additionally, the exact list of handgun models and manufacturers that will fall under the new "machinegun-convertible" classification has not yet been fully defined, leaving some uncertainty for both dealers and consumers.

What's Next?

The legislation could put pressure on firearm manufacturers to redesign trigger mechanisms and other components if they want their products to remain available through California retailers.

Legal challenges are also expected. Gun rights organizations are likely to argue that the state is unfairly classifying standard semiautomatic pistols alongside automatic weapons, potentially setting the stage for court battles over the new regulations.

As California continues to reshape its firearm laws, Assembly Bill 1127 marks another significant step in the state's ongoing effort to restrict access to weapons that officials believe could be converted into more dangerous firearms.