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China to launch 8 more satellites for its navigation network

China is planning to launch more latest satellites into space this year.

China to launch 8 more satellites for its navigation network Image for representational purpose only

Beijing: China is planning to launch more latest satellites into space this year.

As part of the plan to form an orbitting network and offer worldwide navigation services by 2020, China is launching 8 more satellites into the space.

BeiDou-3 is able to cover a wider range and has a longer lifespan of 12 years when compared to its earlier generation products, Bao Weimin, an official with China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation was quoted as saying by state-run Xinhua news agency.

Yang Yuanxi, deputy chief designer of the BeiDou satellite navigation system, told official media that it is part of a plan to put 35 BeiDou satellites into space to form an orbiting satellite network and offer worldwide navigation services by 2020.

BeiDou system, named after the Chinese name for the Big Dipper constellation, is designed to offer an alternative to America's Global positioning System.

A government white paper published in December said China expects to provide basic services to limited number of clients in 2018 and expand to all clients with more accurate and reliable services through better ground and satellite-based systems by 2020.

China has already sent 22 BeiDou satellites into space.

Yang said the launches this year will feature two satellites on a single carrier rocket.

(With PTI inputs)