Beijing: China Friday successfully launched a satellite, the 10th one for its indigenous global navigation and positioning network known as Beidou, authorities said.
The satellite was launched at 5.07 a.m., the launch centre said.
The satellite, launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in the southwestern Sichuan province, was boosted by a Long March-3A carrier rocket into a geosynchronous orbit, reported Xinhua.
It was also the 153rd launch of the Long March carrier rockets.
The basic structure of the Beidou system has now been established, and engineers are now conducting comprehensive system test and evaluation, said authorities.
More satellites will be launched before the end of 2012 for the Beidou network, and its coverage area will be expanded with upgraded services.
The global satellite positioning and navigation system will be completed in 2020 with 30 satellites orbiting the earth.
Started in 2000, the Beidou satellite navigation system is designed to break China`s dependence on the US Global Positioning System (GPS).
IANS
