China launches navigation satellite
Posted: Sat, Feb 3, 2007, 7:04 AM ET (1204 GMT)
A Chinese rocket launched a new navigation satellite early Saturday in that nation's first orbital launch of the year. The Long March 3A rocket lifted off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center at 11:28 am EST Friday (1628 GMT Friday, 12:28 am Saturday Beijing time) and released the Beidou satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit about 24 minutes later. The satellite is the fourth in a series of geosynchronous orbit satellites that provide a regional satellite navigation for China. This specific satellite will initially serve as an on-orbit backup to the existing satellites, according to Chinese media accounts, and later will replace the first Beidou satellite, launched in October 2000. The country is also developing a global navigation system called Compass that China plans to deploy starting in 2008.
A Chinese rocket launched a new navigation satellite early Saturday in that nation's first orbital launch of the year. The Long March 3A rocket lifted off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center at 11:28 am EST Friday (1628 GMT Friday, 12:28 am Saturday Beijing time) and released the Beidou satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit about 24 minutes later. The satellite is the fourth in a series of geosynchronous orbit satellites that provide a regional satellite navigation for China. This specific satellite will initially serve as an on-orbit backup to the existing satellites, according to Chinese media accounts, and later will replace the first Beidou satellite, launched in October 2000. The country is also developing a global navigation system called Compass that China plans to deploy starting in 2008.| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Thursday, September 10
Gamma ray burst may have been two supernovae in one
New Scientist — 12:05 am ET (0405 GMT) Expedition 75 Works on Science Hardware, Spacesuits, and Crew Filming
NASA — 12:02 am ET (0402 GMT) NASA, NFL Team Up to Showcase Space, Aeronautics Innovation
NASA — 12:01 am ET (0401 GMT) After Latest Swing Past Sun, NASA’s Parker Solar Probe Checks in
NASA — 12:01 am ET (0401 GMT) NASA Answers President’s Call to Establish United States Space Academy
NASA — 12:01 am ET (0401 GMT) |
