Pennsylvania · Regional Lead · 2026-10-23
NASA reports Swift operations ended as atmospheric drag increases
The October 23 account describes an October 20 safe-mode transition and preparations for eventual atmospheric re-entry.
NASA reported October 23 that its Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory had concluded operations as its orbit declined. The account says the spacecraft reached an altitude of about 171 miles on October 20, where increased atmospheric drag prevented it from compensating effectively and it entered safe mode.
The operations team at Penn State in University Park, Pennsylvania, then sent a command ending operations in preparation for atmospheric re-entry. NASA expected re-entry in the following weeks; the announcement did not confirm that it had already occurred or establish an exact impact time.
A commercial servicing effort had previously ended without attempting to raise Swift’s orbit. Science observations subsequently resumed, allowing the observatory to examine hundreds of targets, including stellar remnants, active black holes and comets. NASA says that return to observing also increased drag on the spacecraft.
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Business · 2026-10-29
Bank of England consults on tokenized collateral for clearing
An October 29 consultation seeks clearer supervision while retaining requirements that collateral remain usable during financial stress.
The Bank of England opened a consultation October 29 on how central counterparties could accept tokenized forms of eligible collateral. It is seeking to clarify supervisory expectations as financial-market participants explore digital representations of assets used to support cleared transactions.
The bank says the existing regulatory framework does not prevent such arrangements, provided the collateral meets central-clearing standards. Assets must remain capable of reliable valuation, transfer and realization when required, including during stressed market conditions.
Read articleTechnology · 2026-10-29
UK plans voluntary standards on technology workplaces and investment
The October 29 announcement proposes industry-developed standards and a 2027 programme for women building high-growth businesses.
The UK government announced October 29 that it will work with industry on two voluntary standards addressing women’s participation in technology. One focuses on workplace culture; the other concerns investment practices affecting founders seeking capital.
The workplace initiative could include trusted routes for reporting harassment. The investment standard could broaden how investors find potential deals and track women-led businesses through successive funding decisions. The measures remain under development rather than already functioning as mandatory rules.
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