LINE

Text:AAAPrint
Sci-tech

China sends twin BeiDou-3 navigation satellites into space

1
2018-01-12 13:02Xinhua Editor: Gu Liping ECNS App Download
China sends twin BeiDou-3 navigation satellites into space on the Long March-3B carrier rocket from Xichang Satellite Launch Center, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Jan. 12, 2018. The twin satellites are coded the 26th and 27th satellites in the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS). (Xinhua/Liang Keyan)

China sends twin BeiDou-3 navigation satellites into space on the Long March-3B carrier rocket from Xichang Satellite Launch Center, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Jan. 12, 2018. The twin satellites are coded the 26th and 27th satellites in the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS). (Xinhua/Liang Keyan)

China on Friday sent twin satellites into space on a single carrier rocket to help its BeiDou system provide navigation and positioning services to countries along the Belt and Road by late 2018.

The Long March-3B carrier rocket took off from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in the southwestern province of Sichuan at 7:18 a.m.

The twin satellites are coded as the 26th and 27th satellites in the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS).

This is the first launch of BeiDou satellites in 2018, which will see launches throughout the year.

China plans to send 18 BeiDou-3 satellites into space in 2018, according to Yang Changfeng, chief designer of the BeiDou system.

"The intensive launches will pose a great challenge. We must exercise strict control over quality specifications to ensure each of them is a success," Yang said.

Aiming to promote international use, China will move to incorporate BeiDou into the international satellite navigation system, enhance international cooperation, and make it compatible with GPS from the United States, Russia's GLONASS, and the European Union's Galileo, he said.

The satellites and the rocket for Friday's launch were developed by the innovation academy for microsatellites at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, respectively.

Named after the Chinese term for the Big Dipper, the BeiDou project was formally launched in 1994. It began to serve China in 2000 and the Asia-Pacific region at the end of 2012.

By around 2020, when the BDS goes global, it will have more than 30 satellites.

  

Related news

MorePhoto

Most popular in 24h

MoreTop news

MoreVideo

News
Politics
Business
Society
Culture
Military
Sci-tech
Entertainment
Sports
Odd
Features
Biz
Economy
Travel
Travel News
Travel Types
Events
Food
Hotel
Bar & Club
Architecture
Gallery
Photo
CNS Photo
Video
Video
Learning Chinese
Learn About China
Social Chinese
Business Chinese
Buzz Words
Bilingual
Resources
ECNS Wire
Special Coverage
Infographics
Voices
LINE
Back to top Links | About Us | Jobs | Contact Us | Privacy Policy
Copyright ©1999-2018 Chinanews.com. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.