Rocket launches 2 satellites

Similar missions in the future will reduce costs and save time

China launched two satellites for its Beidou global navigation and positioning system into space atop a carrier rocket on Monday, and will see similar launches in the future to reduce costs and save time, a rocket scientist said.

The two satellites - the 12th and 13th satellites for the Beidou system, China's version of the US Global Positioning System - were launched aboard a Long March-3B carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan province early on Monday morning.