China launches satellite.
Summary: China has launched the sixth satellite of a planned 35 into orbit on Monday.China has launched the sixth satellite of a planned 35 into orbit on Monday.
State media reports that the country is building its own navigation and positioning system.
Beijing started a drive to end its reliance on the US Global Positioning System in 2000, when it sent an experimental pair of positioning satellites into orbit.
The rocket carrying the satellite was launched just after midnight (Oct 31) from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwestern Sichuan province.
China's satellites aim to provide navigation, time and short message services in the Asia-Pacific region before 2012 and will be capable of offering global navigation by 2020.
The system code named "COMPASS", will be crucial for the transport and oil exploration industries as well as for weather and disaster forecasting, telecommunications and public security, the news agency Xinhau said.
Independent Television News Limited 2010. All rights reserved.
Independent Television News Limited 2009. All rights reserved.
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| Publication: | Independent Television News Limited (ITN) |
|---|---|
| Geographic Code: | 9CHIN |
| Date: | Nov 2, 2010 |
| Words: | 175 |
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