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China Launches Third Beidou Navigation Satellite
January 18, 2010The Chinese government announced a third Beidou navigation satellite was launched into orbit on January 17, an important step in the construction of the Compass Navigation Satellite System.
According to the announcement, China is implementing the Compass Navigation Satellite System (BeiDou/COMPASS) and planning the successive launch of five geostationary satellites and 30 non-geostationary orbit satellites designed to provide global coverage. Prior to this, China launched two Beidou navigation satellites. In accordance with the construction plan, the initial Compass satellite navigation system will provide coverage in the Asia-Pacific region with navigation, timing, and short-message communication service capabilities with a plan for global coverage by 2020.
The announcement stated that the Beidou satellite navigation system provides two kinds of service modes: an open service and an authorized service. The open service is provided free of charge in the service area location providing velocity and timing services, positioning accuracy of 10 meters, timing accuracy of 10 nanoseconds, and velocity accuracy of 0.2 meters / second. The authorized service provides a more secure position, velocity, timing, and communications services as well as well as a higher level of integrity.
According to the announcement, the satellite and carrier rocket are owned by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. The carrier was a Changzheng series rocket.
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