One of Japan's 4 spy satellites hits snag

[ErnstBlofeld]

Mainichi Daily News:

 

One of Japan's four spy satellites orbiting Earth in part to monitor activities in North Korea has hit a snag, having been unable to operate since Monday, the government said Saturday.

 

According to the Cabinet Satellite Intelligence Center, the No. 2 radar satellite, put into orbit in February 2007, appears to have run into trouble related to electrical power supply, and restoration work is under way.

 

The other three satellites, all optical ones, are working to minimize the effect of the radar satellite's malfunction, a Defense Ministry source said.

 

Japan decided to deploy spy satellites to keep an eye on developments in North Korea after Pyongyang launched a Taepodong ballistic missile in 1998, part of which flew over the Japanese archipelago and fell into the Pacific Ocean