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INSAT-2B fails again: Reuters

"The problem recurred on Saturday night, after we had set it right," a senior official of the Indian Space Research Organisation told Reuters over the telephone from the satellite master control facility in Hassan, 180 kilometres from Bangalore.

Scientists had restored the INSAT-2B satellite on Saturday after a fault in its earth orientation forced a shutdown.

ISRO official was unable, however, to give details of the fresh problem with the satellite, one of seven in the INSAT series that are the mainstay of telecommunications, broadcasting and meteorological functions.

"All scientists are busy with operations to recover the satellite again," he said.

INSAT-2B had lost its earth-lock, which scientists said meant the direction of the satellite, fixed to constantly face a specific side of earth, had changed, for unknown reasons.

Once the satellite's direction changes from the sun, it cannot recharge its batteries.

INSAT 2B, launched in 1993, has a life-span of seven years.

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