The China Great Wall Industry Corp. said the communication satellite NigComSat-1 designed for Nigeria had failed to work because of electricity power exhaustion.

The Beijing-based company attributed the power exhaustion to a technical error of the satellite's solar wing.

Commercial communication satellites involve complex technologies and are regarded as highly risky projects globally, said an unnamed official from the company.

"Chinese aerospace industry will be able to overcome the current difficulties and provide reliable communications satellites to international customers," he added.

The satellite was launched from Xichang Satellite Launch Centerin the southwestern Sichuan Province in May last year.

(Xinhua News Agency November 13, 2008)