Editing Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory (section)

== Overview ==
Swift is a multi-[[wavelength]] [[space observatory]] dedicated to the study of [[gamma-ray burst]]s. Its three instruments work together to observe GRBs and their afterglows in the [[gamma-ray]], [[X-ray]], [[ultraviolet]], and [[Optics|optical]] wavebands.

Based on continuous scans of the area of the sky with one of the instrument's monitors, Swift uses [[momentum wheel]]s to autonomously slew into the direction of possible GRBs. The name "Swift" is not a mission-related acronym, but rather a reference to the instrument's rapid [[Slew (spacecraft)|slew]] capability, and the nimble [[swift (bird)|swift]] (bird of the same name).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://swift.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/swift/swiftfaq.html#name|title=Swift Guest Investigator Program Frequently Asked Questions|publisher=NASA|date=September 26, 2007|access-date=May 2, 2009}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> All of Swift's discoveries are transmitted to the ground and those data are available to other observatories which join Swift in observing the GRBs.

In the time between GRB events, Swift is available for other scientific investigations, and scientists from universities and other organizations can submit proposals for observations.

The Swift Mission Operation Center (MOC), where commanding of the satellite is performed, is located in [[State College, Pennsylvania]] and operated by the [[Pennsylvania State University]] and industry subcontractors. The Swift main ground station is located at the [[Broglio Space Center]] near [[Malindi]] on the coast of eastern [[Kenya]], and is operated by the [[Italian Space Agency]] (ASI). The Swift Science Data Center (SDC) and archive are located at the Goddard Space Flight Center outside [[Washington, D.C.]] The United Kingdom Swift Science Data Centre is located at the [[University of Leicester]].

The Swift [[satellite bus]] was built by [[Spectrum Astro]], which was later acquired by [[General Dynamics Mission Systems|General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.eastvalleytribune.com/money/launch-of-a-satellite-made-by-the-general-dynamics-c4-systems-delayed/article_b2ec249e-9e6e-54b8-939d-937e80acc135.html|title=Launch of a satellite made by the General Dynamics C4 Systems delayed|publisher=East Valley Tribune|author=Taylor, Ed|date=October 6, 2011|access-date=April 27, 2023}}</ref> which was in turn acquired by [[Orbital Sciences Corporation]] (now [[Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems]]).