Spektr-R: Russia's only space telescope "does not answer"

Russia's only space radio telescope is no longer responding to Earth's orders, officials said.

Astro Space Center head Nikolai Kardashev said some of the Spektr-R satellite communications systems had stopped working.

But he was still transmitting scientific data, reports the RIA Novosti news agency.

The telescope is operational well beyond its expected five year life, announced the Russian space agency Roskosmos.

The experts have repeatedly tried to repair the lost connection, without success, said Kardashev.

Yuri Kovalev, head of research for the Spektr-R project, said that the connection had been interrupted on the morning of 11 January, but that there remained "hope".

Spektr-R was launched in space in 2011.

A new German-Russian satellite, Spektr-RG, is expected to be launched this year.