Ground controllers and engineers in Korolev, Russia are still trying to establish contact with one of two Yamal satellites launched Monday from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
The Yamal-101 communications satellite has so far failed to respond to any commands sent from the ground after its flawless launch on a Proton rocket, according to Anatoly Vovk, the leading designer of the spacecraft from RKK Energia.
The other satellite delivered into orbit by the same launcher is functioning as expected.
Vovk expressed confidence that ground controllers will still be able to salvage the ailing spacecraft. "We know it recieves our commands, we now need to figure out how to make it respond," Vovk said. Communications equipment on both spacecraft was activated before launch.
Ground controllers have also determined that the satellite is receiving enough energy to charge its batteries and to supply essential systems, even though its solar panels could not unfold after the launch, Vovk said.
Because of the communication breakdown, the spacecraft is spinning uncontrollably in its orbit at the estimated rate of 0.1-0.3 degrees per second, which ensures that two outer sections of the solar panels folded on both sides of the box-shaped spacecraft are constantly exposed to the sun.
Several teams of specialists are working around the clock to resolve the situation. Vovk refused to speculate about the cause of the problem; he said, however, that experts came up with dozens of theories, which are now under consideration.
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