China Launches Navigation Satellite

A Long March 3A launched Beidou 1, a Chinese navigation satellite, from Xichang, pad LC1, at 1602 UTC on October 30. The satellite will be located at 25°E in geostationary orbit. 

Beidou is the first in a series of satellites for a system that will provide all-weather, round-the-clock navigation information for highways, railways and shipping. The satellite was developed by China's Research Institute of Space Technology. No information was provided on how many other satellites China intends to launch for the system or when the network will be operational. The 2200 kg (4849 lbm) satellite is based on the DFH-3 bus. 

Beidou joins a U.S. navigation system called Global Positioning System (GPS) and the Russian's operate a system called Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS). China is concerned about becoming too dependent on foreign technology. 

Beidou is the Chinese name for the constellation which many westerner's refer to as Ursa Major.

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