Beidou satellite navigation system to cover whole world in 2020
(Source: PLA Daily) 2010-05-20
The reporter learned from the first China Satellite Navigation Annual Academic Conference held on May 19 that China would build the Beidou Satellite Navigation System covering the whole world in 2020.
The satellite navigation system is an embodiment of a nation’s comprehensive strength, core competitiveness and technological innovation ability. After more than 10 years of efforts of the Chinese space scientific research personnel, the Beidou Satellite Navigation Experiment System entered the stage of steady progress of the launch and networking as well as system building in 2000, making China become the third country possessing an independent satellite navigation system following the U.S. and Russia.
Qi Faren, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, introduced that China was developing the global satellite navigation system on its own following a “three-step” development strategy. Firstly, a small number of satellites in the geosynchronous orbit were involved to conduct experiments, so as to accumulate experience and expertise, cultivate talents and develop ground infrastructure equipment for the construction of the Beidou Satellite Navigation System. Secondly, the Beidou Satellite Navigation System covering China and the neighboring areas is to be built up by 2012. Thirdly, the global satellite navigation system consisting of 5 geostationary satellites and 30 non-geostationary satellites is to be built up by 2020 to ensure global coverage.
With the successful application of the Beidou Satellite Navigation Experiment System which was completed in 2000 and put into operation in a multiple of fields of national economic construction and national security, the work for “step 1” has been accomplished. Currently, the development of the Beidou Satellite Navigation System is at the crucial stage of “step 2”.
On January 17, 2010, the third Beidu navigation satellite was successfully sent to the predetermined orbit by the “Long March-3C” carrier rocket at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, symbolizing another important step forward in the building of the Beidou Satellite Navigation System.
By Zou Weirong
Editor:Liu Wanyun
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Beidou satellite navigation system to cover whole world in 2020
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China has the capability to build very accurate atomic clocks(for GPS usage), at least in the laboratory environment. The problem is to build one to withstand the harsh environment of outer space. Apparently China has made progress in this area.
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