China launches orbiter for Beidou system

XICHANG, Sichuan - China early Monday morning successfully launched its sixth orbiter which will form part of its indigenous satellite navigation and positioning network.

 

An orbiter is launched by a Long-March-3III carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Southwest China's Sichuan Province, Oct 31, 2010. [Photo/Xinhua]

 

A Long March-3III carrier rocket carrying the "Beidou," or Compass, navigation satellite took off at 0:26 am Monday from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Southwest China's Sichuan province.

 

It will join five other satellites already in orbit to form a network, which will eventually consist of 35 satellites. The network will provide satellite navigation services for Asia-Pacific regions by 2012 and global services by 2020.

 

The China Academy of Space Technology developed the satellite and the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology developed the carrier rocket.