NASA’s $30 million attempt to rescue its falling Swift Observatory has ended in failure. The robotic spacecraft sent to save the telescope burned up in Earth’s atmosphere on September 25.

The three-armed spacecraft, called Link and built by Katalyst Space Technologies, launched on July 3. It was supposed to grapple the 22-year-old Swift telescope and push it into a higher orbit.

Trouble hit almost immediately. Two of Link’s three reaction wheels failed, and a faulty valve sent it into a rapid spin that cut off communications. Engineers regained control, but too much fuel had been used to finish the rescue.

The attempt was called off in August. Link did get within 7 to 9 miles of Swift and photographed it, and its robotic arms were tested in orbit. NASA said the lessons will help future satellite-servicing missions.

Without the boost, Swift is expected to reenter the atmosphere in November. Intense solar activity had been dragging its orbit down faster than engineers expected.