With the successful launch of the second Beidou navigation satellite on March 15, China's independently-developed Beidou satellite navigation system has entered a peak network formation period from this year. A Global Positioning System is expected to be established around 2020.
On the morning of April 15, China sent the second Beidou navigation satellite into the orbit with the carrier rocket of "Long March 3C" at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center.
The Beidou satellite navigation and positioning system, independently developed by China, consists of satellites that will run on three different types of orbits – the geostationary orbit, the inclined geosynchronous satellite orbit and the medium and high earth orbit.
The development of this system is divided into two stages. In the first stage, a regional navigation and positioning system will be established in 2011, covering China and its neighboring areas.
Since 2000, China has launched three "Beidou Navigation Test Satellites" gradually setting up a Beidou navigation test system.
In the Wenchuan Earthquake last year, this system played an important role. China is currently developing the second generation Beidou satellite navigation and positioning system, and in April 2007, it launched the first satellite. The satellite launched today is the second one belonging to the system.
A satellite navigation and positioning system is an important space infrastructure. It combines the merits of traditional astronavigation and ground-based radio navigation and positioning systems, which is similar to establishing a radio beacon station in space.
Currently, China mainly relies on US GPS services to provide navigation and positioning service. Upon completion, the Beidou system will enable China to free itself from the reliance on foreign satellite navigation systems in satellite application, and will also boost the development of a large number of hi-tech sectors to form new sources of economic growth.
Satellite navigation and positioning technologies have been widely applied in areas including communication and transportation, essential surveying and mapping, engineering investigation, resource survey, seismic monitoring and more.
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