Probe ordered into shutdown at India's Antartica station

An inquiry has been ordered by the government into the shutdown of ISRO activities at Indian Research Station in Antarctica allegedly due to lack of fuel at the remote site and clashes between the team leader and her subordinates.

The inquiry is being conducted by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).

The research station 'Bharti' provides data for more than 20 satellites of the Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO) and has more than 17 employees from various scientific organisations in the country. The shutdown of ISRO activities occurred in October this year.

Union Minister Jaipal Reddy, who holds the charge of Ministry of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, said today he has asked MoES to conduct an inquiry into the incident.

He said the inquiry will look at the case both from the point of view of national security and the success of the mission.

When contacted, MoES secretary Shailesh Nayak refused to comment on the matter.