China ramps up global coverage for domestic Beidou satellite navigation system as rival to GPS
- Beidou’s location service has an accuracy of 5 metres in Asia-Pacific and 10 metres in other parts of the world
Beidou, China’s home-developed satellite navigation system, has launched its global service ahead of schedule as the country looks to challenge the dominance of America’s Global Positioning System (GPS).
Ran Chengqi, director general of the China Satellite Navigation Office, briefed media on Thursday, announcing completion of the global coverage of the third-generation positioning system, ahead of the previous roll-out target of 2020.
Beidou, the Chinese name for the seven stars that make up the Big Dipper, offers a worldwide location service with an accuracy of 5 metres within the Asia-Pacific region and 10 metres in other parts of the world. One of only four global navigation satellite systems, along with America’s Global Positioning System, Russia’s Glonass and Europe’s Galileo, it is part of the country’s wider efforts to become a world leader in space and related technologies under its Made in China 2025 programme.
“Compared with other satellite navigation systems, we are confident of maintaining good performance and bringing new added services,” Ran said. “Beidou will provide stable non-stop service to countries along the Belt and Road Initiative as well as the rest of the world.”
The US GPS offers accuracy to within centimetres, but concerns over Washington’s ability to shut off service during wartime, prompted China, Russia and other nations to develop their own system.