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| | MISSION UPDATE:
The Swift spacecraft lifted off aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket from pad 17-A at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., at 12:16:00.611 p.m. EST. Swift has successfully begun its mission to study gamma-ray bursts and identify their origins.
+ Swift Launch Coverage
For additional information refer to our Launch Pad, Processing and Firing Room pages.
The Mission
Swift is an agile spacecraft designed to investigate one of the universe's most elusive phenomena: gamma-ray bursts. Gamma-ray bursts are high energy explosions that occur nearly once a day from random locations across the sky. Scientists suspect the bursts maybe be produced by the birth of black holes or death of stars, but no one knows for sure. In order to find out, scientists need a spacecraft with powerful telescopes and quick reflexes to capture gamma-ray bursts as they flash and leave a lingering afterglow. Swift is precisely such a spacecraft.
The Rocket
Swift will be boosted into orbit aboard a Boeing Delta II from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The Delta II is a multistage rocket powered by a single main engine and a variable number of strap-on external motors.
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Mission Accomplished!
NASA Launch Manager Chuck Dovale describes the successful launch and decisions for the short delay.
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Spacecraft Separation is Achieved!
Congratulations are offered all around as Swift begins its journey to nimbly seek out fleeting gamma-ray bursts on the fly.
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Swift Launches Successfully
A superb launch and flawless liftoff for NASA's Swift spacecraft to study the mystery of gamma-ray bursts.
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Swift Spacecraft Processing
John Honig, Swift launch site integration manager, describes spacecraft transporation and preparation process.
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MIM Interview
Mission Integration Manager Rex Englehardt describes the mating of the spacecraft to the Delta launch vehicle.
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Swift's GCN Sends the Signal
NASA's Gamma-ray burst Coordinates Network notifies observers within seconds.
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The Swift Image Gallery
Images of Swift, gamma-ray bursts and more, provided by Goddard Space Flight Center.
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Swift at Kennedy Space Center
See images and videos of the Swift spacecraft as it is prepared for launch.
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Behind the Scenes
Why do we send anything into space?
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