'Endeavour' radar

'Endeavour' radar repaired

HOUSTON, Texas (AFP): Scientists have restored a highly sophisticated radar system on the space shuttle Endeavour, putting a key in-flight experiment back on line, NASA said yesterday.

The shuttle thundered into orbit Saturday with six astrounauts who will be using the most advanced radar ever built to study the Earth and man's impact on nature.

When ground controllers tried to put one of the two radar instruments to use Saturday, however, the powerful amplifier for the radar's antenna would not work, crippling the system.

Several hours later ground controllers used a manual control to activate the device. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) said yesterday the instrument has begun working properly. The shuttle made radar images of China, Australia and the Austrian Alps, among other sites.

"We're all very satisfied and gratified up here that things appear to be running so smoothly," said astronaut Thomas Jones.