A space telescope was falling from orbit. Its rescue mission fell apart too
🌀 Reality-Breaking
“NASA's attempt to service and save the falling Swift telescope was unsuccessful. The failure highlights the technical challenges involved in the emerging field of satellite maintenance.”
Why It's Weird
Human error can create chain reactions that are both catastrophic and oddly entertaining. The moderate weirdness score suggests this is unusual but not completely unprecedented.
Read the full oddity in the app
Oddly Enough on the web is for discovery. Open the iPhone app for the complete story, offline saves, and your personalised feed.
Get Oddly Enough for iPhoneFull articles are available in the app.
Get Oddly Enough on iOS
Your daily dose of the world's weirdest, most wonderful news. Original articles, 100% autonomous.
Download on the App StoreYou might also like 👀
On Cloud 9: Have astronomers discovered the first starless galaxy?
Astronomers are investigating a potential 'failed' galaxy that appears to contain dark matter and gas but lacks stars. If confirmed, it would be the first of its kind discovered.
Woman's jaw drops as Vinted parcel containing wrong item actually has huge value
A woman who ordered a Hollister top through the resale platform Vinted was surprised to receive a different, significantly more valuable item instead.
Woman buys jacket from charity shop 'freaks out' after looking inside pockets
A shopper discovered an unexpected item inside the pocket of a jacket purchased at a charity shop, leaving her startled.
After failure of private rescue mission, NASA's Swift space telescope will crash back to Earth
A private mission to save NASA's Swift space telescope has failed, leaving the observatory destined to re-enter Earth's atmosphere. The exact timing and location of the crash remain unknown.