Japanese satellite breaks down in space

A Japanese satellite launched last year to observe global climate change has malfunctioned and stopped transmitting data, possibly due to a power failure, Japan’s space agency said today.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency has set up a taskforce to study the breakdown, but admits recovering use of the satellite will be “extremely difficult”.

The Midori II, put into orbit by Japan’s H2-A rocket in December, was designed to study global warming by measuring the distribution of clouds, water vapour and ozone in the atmosphere.

It was carrying Japanese, US and French instruments on board.