NASA launched a mission on Friday using a robot to try and prevent one of its old telescopes from burning up in the atmosphere, a complex process that is expected to take months.

This unprecedented initiative, which costs $30 million, involves sending a robot to rescue the Swift space telescope, which is currently falling towards Earth.

If successful, the mission could pave the way for other satellites to be given a second life.

The robot was originally scheduled to be launched on Tuesday, but the launch was delayed due to weather conditions and technical problems. It finally took off on Friday at 08:36 GMT from a coral island in the Pacific Ocean.

The space robot was developed by the American start-up Catalyst and launched using a small rocket called Pegasus, which itself was launched from an airplane.

Once it reaches an orbit close to Swift's orbit, the robot will deploy its solar panels and conduct a series of checks.