A state-run aerospace research institute says it will stop operating its first multipurpose satellite on January 31st.

The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) said Friday the decision was reached after technicians failed to restore contact with the Arirang One satellite after more than 140 attempts.

The space agency explained the satellite is designed to use its emergency power supply if it loses contact with its controllers. It will thus effectively have no power left by the end of the month.

The institute also confirmed that an operator made a mistake while returning the satellite to "normal mode" from "safety mode" on December 29th. That was the day before the institute lost contact with the satellite.

In the eight years since its launch, Arirang One has orbited the globe 43-thousand times and has taken 440-thousand photos.