This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-22635671

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Ecuador Pegasus satellite fears over space debris crash Ecuador Pegasus satellite fears over space debris crash
(about 2 hours later)
The Ecuadorean space agency (EXA) is trying to pick up signals from its satellite after it was found to be on a collision course with space debris. The Ecuadorean space agency (EXA) is trying to pick up signals from its satellite after it crashed in space into debris from an old rocket.
The nano-satellite, called Pegasus, was launched from the Jiuquan spaceport in China less than a month ago.The nano-satellite, called Pegasus, was launched from the Jiuquan spaceport in China less than a month ago.
It is Ecuador's first and only satellite in orbit.It is Ecuador's first and only satellite in orbit.
Experts calculated Pegasus was on a course to collide at 05:38 GMT on Thursday with debris from a Soviet rocket launched in 1985. Experts said Pegasus had collided with debris from a Soviet rocket but was still in orbit. It is not yet clear if it has been damaged.
EXA chief Ronnie Nader said Ecuadorean engineers would monitor the nano-satellite but could only be sure of its fate some 36 to 48 hours after the suspected collision. The US-based Joint Space Operations Center, which monitors all artificial Earth-orbiting objects, said there had been no direct crash but that their "data indicated a lateral collision with particles" of the Soviet rocket.
He said EXA would use radar to check on Pegasus in the hope of finding it unscathed. EXA chief Ronnie Nader tweeted that Pegasus remained in orbit. "Ecuador still has its satellite, the people still have Pegasus," he announced.
"Pegasus could be damaged or spinning out of control, but because it's still in orbit, we have hope," he wrote.
He had said earlier that it could take up to 48 hours to ascertain possible damage using radar.
Debris threatDebris threat
Pegasus, a small cube weighing just 1.2kg (2.6lb), has been orbiting the Earth at a height of 650km (404 miles), transmitting pictures from space while playing recordings of the Ecuadorean national anthem.Pegasus, a small cube weighing just 1.2kg (2.6lb), has been orbiting the Earth at a height of 650km (404 miles), transmitting pictures from space while playing recordings of the Ecuadorean national anthem.
On Wednesday, the US-based Joint Space Operations Center, which monitors all artificial Earth-orbiting objects, notified EXA of a possible collision between Pegasus and the fuel tank of an S14 Soviet rocket over the Indian Ocean, some 1,500km east of Madagascar. On Wednesday, the Joint Space Operations Center notified EXA of a possible collision between Pegasus and the fuel tank of an S14 Soviet rocket over the Indian Ocean, some 1,500km east of Madagascar.
EXA said it hoped that if the two were to collide, it would be a lateral rather than a frontal crash, sparing the satellite's wings.
Mr Nader said the satellite was insured.Mr Nader said the satellite was insured.
The Ecuadorean government contributed $700,000 (£465,000) to its launch on board an unmanned rocket.The Ecuadorean government contributed $700,000 (£465,000) to its launch on board an unmanned rocket.
Ecuador is planning to launch a second satellite, named Kryasor, from Russia in August.Ecuador is planning to launch a second satellite, named Kryasor, from Russia in August.
The Joint Space Operations Center tracks more than 22,000 objects orbiting Earth, of which 87% are debris and inactive satellites.The Joint Space Operations Center tracks more than 22,000 objects orbiting Earth, of which 87% are debris and inactive satellites.