China launches sixth satellite for global positioning network

China launches sixth satellite for global positioning network

2010-11-02 08:20:45 GMT+7 (ICT)

XICHANG, CHINA (BNO NEWS) -- China on early Monday launched its sixth satellite that will become part of its satellite navigation and positioning network, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

At 0:26 a.m. local time, a Long March-3C carrier rocket took off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province, southwest China. The rocket was carrying the Beidou or Compass navigation satellite.

China said that the launch of the spacecraft was successful. The Beidou will join China's other five satellites already in orbit to form a network or system that will eventually consist of 35 orbiters.

China's indigenous satellite navigation and positioning network will provide satellite navigation services for regions in the Asia-Pacific area as well as global services by 2020.

The Beidou satellite was developed by the China Academy of Space Technology while the Long March-3C carrier rocket was developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology.

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