Beijing, 14 April 2007: China launched the fifth satellite of its ambitious “Beidou”, Global Navigation Satellite System on Saturday state media reported. The “Beidou” or “Big Dipper” satellite was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in southwest China’s Sichuan province and accurately entered its planned orbit, Xinhua news agency said.
The navigational system is mainly designed for China’s economic development, providing navigation and positioning services in transportation, meteorology, petroleum prospecting, forest fire monitoring, disaster forecast, telecommunications and public security, among others.
On February 3, China successfully put a test “Compass” satellite into the orbit, the fourth of such experimental satellites launched since 2000. Experts said the “Compass” navigation experimental system is operating well and has played a significant role in providing all-weather and all-day navigation and positioning information. After full deployment the system is expected to provide very high accuracies in positioning, velocity and timing.
The “Beidou” system includes 35 satellites, out of which five Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) and 30 Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites. With more satellites to be sent into orbits in the coming years, the system will cover China and its neighboring countries by 2008, before being expanded into a global network of navigation and positioning.
The satellite and carrier rocket were developed respectively by the China Academy of Space Technology and China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, which are under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
