INSAT 4-B spacecraft hit by power problem

The INSAT-4B communication satellite has been hit by a “power supply anomaly” in one of its two solar panels which has led to switching off 50 per cent of the transponder capacity. Due to a power supply anomaly in one of its two solar panels, there has been a partial non-availability of services on India’s INSAT-4B communication satellite, ISRO said in a release here today. On the night of July 7, the satellite experienced a power supply glitch which led to switching off 50 per cent of the transponder capacity (6 Ku and 6 C-Band transponders), the release said.


An expert team is studying the possibilities of partial utilisation of some of the transponders that were switched ‘off ’and restoring services at the earliest, it said.


The INSAT-4B carries a total of 24 communication transponders (12 Ku-Band and 12 C-Band) and has been in operation since March 2007. 

Source: www.thehindu.com