Brazil's INPE space agency has been unable to make contact with its $4.6 million SACI-1 satellite, launched last month.
It is thought to have suffered a communications, antenna or computer fault, which may be correctable. The small Brazilian technology research satellite was launched on the second Chinese Long March 4B booster from Taiyuan on 14 October. The booster was also carrying Ziyuan 1, the first China Brazil Earth Resources Satellite (CBERS).
The CBERS project began in 1988 with the signing of an agreement between the two countries to start the $300 million two-satellite project. The spacecraft will assist Brazil's economy and environmental monitoring by returning images which can be used to monitor water quality and help city planning.
China Great Wall Industry has been awarded a contract to make its first commercial Long March 3A booster launch, of Alenia Aerospazio's 2,600kg (5,725lb), 28 Ku-band transponder multimedia Satelcom satellite in 2001.
This is a boost for China since it has lost several bookings of US-built geostationary satellites for political-technology transfer reasons. Alenia was attracted by the launch cost, which is 40% lower than that charged by Western launcher companies.
The company is also co-operating with China in the building of two satellites for a joint observation and data collection programme.
China has confirmed it plans to establish a satellite launch centre on Hainan Island in the South China Sea, for $24 million. The Chinese claim the site will increase the capability of boosters by 7% from the Xichang launch centre and 10% from Jiuquan.
Source: Flight International
