Beidou enters the network stage

The future Chinese satellite navigation system Beidou (北斗) has one more satellite in the sky. On the 17. January, the third satellite was successfully launched from the Xichang (西昌) launching station in Sichuan (四川) province. The launching rocket was a Long March CZ-3C (长征三号丙).

A total of thirty-five satellites are planned for the navigation system to be fully operational: thirty non-stationary and five stationary. The number three is an important step, since it allows for the first time to create a real network of satellites.

By 2020, all satellites will be launched and the system will cover the whole globe. Around 2012, the Asia Pacific region will be covered.

Chinese source: 北斗”进入组网高峰