China launches third orbiter for indigenous global satellite navigation system

XICHANG, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- China successfully launched an orbiter into space from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwestern Sichuan Province at about 0:12 a.m. Beijing Time Sunday.

An orbiter is launched by a Long-March-3III carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province, Jan. 17, 2010.  It was the third orbiter that China has launched for its independent satellite navigation and positioning network, also known as Beidou, or Compass system.  (Xinhua/Qian Xian'an)

It was the third orbiter that China has launched for its independent satellite navigation and positioning network, also known as Beidou, or COMPASS system.

The new satellite was boosted by a Long-March-3III carrier rocket into a geostationary orbit.

It will join another two already in orbits to form a network which will eventually have a total of 35 satellites, capable of providing global navigation service to users around the world around 2020.

The new orbiter and the carrier rocket were researched and developed by Chinese Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation and Chinese Academy of Carrier Rocket Technology respectively.

The network will have five satellites in geostationary orbit and another 30 in non-geostationary orbits, according to a plan for the COMPASS system.

According to the plan, the system will firstly provide navigation, time signal and short message services in the Asia and Pacific region around 2012.

The COMPASS system will provide both open and authorized services, according to China's satellite navigation project center.