XICHANG, March 7 (China Space News) -- China launched a new satellite of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province at 7:55 p.m. Monday (Beijing Time), only one step away from completing the whole global system.

The satellite, the 54th of the BeiDou family, was sent into a geostationary orbit as planned by a Long March-3B carrier rocket.

The satellite and the carrier rocket were developed by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) and the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, respectively.

Monday's launch was the 327th mission of the Long March rocket series.

Space engineers have overcome difficulties during the novel coronavirus epidemic to ensure the success of the mission. They have taken multiple precautions, including body temperature screening for all staff members, reducing the number of large-scale meetings, asking meeting attendees to sit apart and regular disinfection of work places. They also made efforts to innovate work methods and optimize workflow to improve overall efficiency.