China Launches 9th Satellite for Indigenous Global Navigation System
UPDATED: 2011-07-28
BEIJING, July 28. (China Space News) — China successfully launched a new Beidou or Compass satellite into space at 5:44 a.m. Wednesday on a Long March-3A launch vehicle from Xichang Satellite Launch Center.
It is the 9th satellite to join the indigenous Beidou satellite navigation and positioning network, and also the 4th one to operate in the inclined geostationary orbit (IGSO).
The successful mission marks that China has moved one step further towards the construction of the Beidou navigation and positioning system. It is reported that the system is currently under test and all parts are operating smoothly. The network is expected to provide passive location, navigation, timing and short message services for the Asia-Pacific region by the end of this year.
China Academy of Space Technology developed the satellite and China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology developed the rocket that carried the satellite into space. It is the 141th flight of the Long March series of rockets.
It is the 9th satellite to join the indigenous Beidou satellite navigation and positioning network, and also the 4th one to operate in the inclined geostationary orbit (IGSO).
The successful mission marks that China has moved one step further towards the construction of the Beidou navigation and positioning system. It is reported that the system is currently under test and all parts are operating smoothly. The network is expected to provide passive location, navigation, timing and short message services for the Asia-Pacific region by the end of this year.
China Academy of Space Technology developed the satellite and China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology developed the rocket that carried the satellite into space. It is the 141th flight of the Long March series of rockets.