Posted: Tue, Nov 21, 2006, 1:57 PM ET (1857 GMT)
A Chinese communications satellite launched less than a month had reportedly suffered a serious, and potentially fatal, problem in orbit. According to reports first published by the South China Morning Post and the Information Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, the Sinosat-2 spacecraft, launched October 29, was unable to deploy one of its solar panels earlier this month, depriving the spacecraft of much of the power needed to operate the satellite and its communications payload. Reports suggested that the spacecraft may be written off as a total loss, although there has been no official statement from state-run news media or other officials. The spacecraft was designed to provide direct-to-home television services for much of mainland China.

Related Links:

•  South China Morning Post article
•  Reuters article
•  AFX article