In June 2026, NASA, Northrop Grumman, and Katalyst Space Technologies set out to save the SWIFT Observatory from its rapid de-orbit. A small booster was fit into the launch capsule on the Northrop/Orbital Pegasus XL Rocket and was tasked with connecting to the observatory and boosting it back into stable orbit for further research use. This would also mark the last use of the legendary rocket.

The launch would be conducted over Kwajalein atoll in the Marshall Islands, by the Northrop Grumman Stargazer, a modified Lockheed L-1011 Tristar with a pylon to carry the 60,000 pound Pegasus XL. Seeing this jet is not only monumental in terms of space related endeavors, but in aviation as well. N140SC is the last airworthy L-1011 Tristar in the world, truly a last of its breed.

I researched through countless nights months prior to the launch as seeing this jet with the pegasus XL was truly a once in a lifetime thing, especially on its last mission. Based on press releases, previous activity, and some intuition, I accurately pieced the schedule down to the hour for each flight and arrival time and caught its arrival into Mojave from Wallops with Pegasus, departure to Kona with the pegasus, and arrival back home after the mission. By far my favorite project so far.

Through this, I was also able to help many others catch the jet, and that was spectacular as seeing the last L-1011 is a box that every aviation enthusiast wants to check off.