China successfully put a navigation satellite into orbit early
Saturday from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest
China's
Sichuan Province.
The carrier rocket, Long March 3-A, blasted off at 0:28 AM
(Beijing Time). The satellite separated from the rocket about 24
minutes later.
Data from the Xi'an satellite monitoring center showed that the
satellite had accurately entered its orbit.
It is China's fourth Beidou (Big Dipper) navigation experimental
satellite in orbit. The previous three were sent in space on
October 31, 2000, December 21, 2000 and May 25, 2003
respectively.
Experts said the Beidou satellite navigation experimental system
is operating well and has played a significant role in cartography,
telecommunications, water conservation, transportation, fishery,
prospecting, forest fire monitoring and national security.
The fourth Beidou navigation satellite, serving as a backup
satellite for the Beidou satellite navigation experimental system,
may replace the first Beidou satellite, when necessary, continuing
to provide all-weather and all-day navigation and positioning
information.
Experts said China is establishing the Compass Navigation
Satellite System on the basis of the Beidou satellite navigation
experimental system. The compass system will in 2008 fully meet the
demand of satellite navigation for clients in China and neighboring
regions.
The Compass Navigation Satellite System will gradually extend to
be a global satellite navigation and positioning system after
network building and experiments, experts said.
The compass system will be mainly used for economic purposes,
providing efficient navigation and positioning services in
transportation, meteorology, petroleum prospecting, forest fire
monitoring, disaster forecast, telecommunications and public
security, among others.
China is one of the several countries in the world capable of
developing such a system on its own.
The system can help clients know their location at any time and
place with accurate longitude, latitude and altitude data.
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.
The launch represents the 95th flight of China's Long March
series of rockets.
(Xinhua News Agency February 3, 2007)
