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Agencies

Japan is building its own GPS in hopes of reducing location errors for drivers, drone operators and other users.
A rocket launched Thursday from southern Japan is carrying a satellite that will form part of a Japanese Global Positioning System (GPS).
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries plan to launch two more satellites by next spring to complete the system.
Japan currently relies on an American GPS. Having its own system is expected to reduce location errors in Japan to a few centimetres from as much as 10 meters by some estimates.
The more accurate information could be used for both driving and drone deliveries. Japanese media report it also may enhance the country’s defence capabilities.
China has been building its own version of GPS, called the Beidou navigation system, to make its domestic users, including the military, less dependent on foreign technology.
The Beidou navigation system, currently with 15 satellites, covers China and some neighbouring countries. Beijing hopes to have dozens of satellites in orbit by 2020 for its global network.
Most Chinese lighthouses, military facilities and fishing boats had been using it since an Asia-Pacific network was completed in 2012, officials said earlier.
Japan aims to build its version with four satellites focusing on the country and wider region.
The first satellite was put into orbit in 2010 and the third and fourth are to be launched by March 2018 to start the service.
Though GPS is widely used in Japan, having supplementary satellites is important in a country where mountainous terrain and high buildings may interfere with GPS signals.
Japan aims to establish a constellation of seven satellites by around 2023.
Associated Press, Agence France-Presse


Japan launches second satellite to boost GPS as China builds own Beidou navigation system

A rocket launched Thursday from southern Japan is carrying a satellite that will form part of a Japanese GPS. Photo: AP

China’s version of GPS ‘is now just as accurate’

A Long March heads into space from northwestern China. Some 20 more satellites are planned for launch as part of the country’s global positioning system. Photo: Xinhua

News

Asia

East Asia

Regional rival China has been building its own GPS system to make domestic users, including the military, less dependent on foreign technology


Japan launches second satellite to boost GPS as China builds own Beidou navigation system

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Regional rival China has been building its own GPS system to make domestic users, including the military, less dependent on foreign technology

Regional rival China has been building its own GPS system to make domestic users, including the military, less dependent on foreign technology