It is China's fourth Beidou (Big Dipper) navigation experimental satellite in orbit. The previous three were sent in space on Oct. 31, 2000, Dec. 21, 2000 and May 25, 2003 respectively.

Experts said the Beidou satellite navigation experimental system is operating well and has played a significant role in cartography, telecommunications, water conservation, transportation, fishery, prospecting, forest fire monitoring and national security.

The fourth Beidou navigation satellite, serving as a backup satellite for the Beidou satellite navigation experimental system, may replace the first Beidou satellite, when necessary, continuing to provide all-weather and all-day navigation and positioning information.

Experts said China is establishing the Compass Navigation Satellite System on the basis of the Beidou satellite navigation experimental system. The compass system will in 2008 fully meet the demand of satellite navigation for clients in China and neighboring regions.

The Compass Navigation Satellite System will gradually extend to be a global satellite navigation and positioning system after network building and experiments, experts said.

The compass system will be mainly used for economic purposes, providing efficient navigation and positioning services in transportation, meteorology, petroleum prospecting, forest fire monitoring, disaster forecast, telecommunications and public security, among others.

China is one of the several countries in the world capable of developing such a system on its own.

The system can help clients know their location at any time and place with accurate longitude, latitude and altitude data.

The satellite and carrier rocket were developed respectively by the China Academy of Space Technology and China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, which are under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.

The launch represents the 95th flight of China's Long March series of rockets.

earlier related report
China launches first satellite after satellite-killing missile test
Beijing (AFP) Feb 03 - China launched an experimental navigation satellite into space early Saturday, state press reported, the nation's first space launch since it tested a satellite-killing missile last month.

The Beidou (Big Dipper) satellite was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launching Centre in southwest China's Sichuan province aboard a Long March 3-A rocket, Xinhua news agency said.

The satellite separated from the rocket 24 minutes into the flight and has successfully entered its planned orbit, the report said.

The launch was the first since China shocked the world on January 11 with a successful missile test that destroyed an orbiting Chinese weather satellite.

The satellite-killing missile raised global concerns of a renewed arms race to weaponise outer space.

The test made China only the third country in the world -- after the United States and the former Soviet Union -- to down an object in space.

Saturday's satellite launch was the fourth in the nation's Beidou (Big Dipper) experimental navigation satellite system that began in October 2000, Xinhua said.

The system is expected to be fully operational for clients in China and Asia by 2008 and according to current plans the network is to be expanded into a global positioning system in the future, it said.

The system will provide "navigation and positioning services in transportation, meteorology, petroleum prospecting, forest fire monitoring, disaster forecast, telecommunications and public security among others," it said.

China is one of several countries in the world capable of developing such a system on its own, it added.

Source: Xinhua News Agency

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