Swift is a first-of-its-kind multi-wavelength observatory dedicated to the study of gamma-ray burst (GRB) science. Its three instruments work together to observe GRBs and afterglows in the gamma-ray, X-ray, ultraviolet, and optical wavebands. The main mission objectives for Swift are to:

• Determine the origin of gamma-ray bursts.
• Classify gamma-ray bursts and search for new types.
• Determine how the burst evolves and interacts with the surroundings.
• Use gamma-ray bursts to study the early universe.
• Perform the first sensitive hard X-ray survey of the sky.