China adds new satellite to its Beidou network that aims to rival US global positioning system
- There are now 20 satellites in orbit for the navigation system, which is expected to be completed next year
- BDS began offering a basic service in December, with priority for the Asia-Pacific region and countries along the belt and road route
China launched a 20th satellite for its global navigation system late on Saturday, taking another step towards completing a vast network it hopes will eventually rival the global positioning system (GPS) run by the United States.
After it was launched close to midnight from the Xichang centre in southwest China, the latest addition to the Beidou constellation successfully entered inclined geosynchronous satellite orbit, state news agency Xinhua reported on Sunday.
It is the first of three satellites planned for that orbit. Beidou will also have 27 satellites in medium earth orbit and five in geostationary orbit when it is completed next year.
China has been developing and operating the Beidou navigation system, or BDS, since 1994. With both military and civilian applications, the system is aimed at challenging the dominance of GPS in the global positioning market.
