China's third navigation satellite successfully
positioned
¡¡¡¡
¡¡¡¡XI'AN, June 3 (Xinhuanet)
-- China's third Beidou navigation and positioning
satellite was successfully positioned over
the equator and came into earth-synchronous
orbit early Tuesday morning.
¡¡¡¡Experts said the satellite
had operated continuously for 220 hours, during
which time the Xi'an satellite monitoring
center had been searching and controlling
it and helping it complete several actions.
¡¡¡¡China sent the first two Beidou
navigation satellites into orbit on Oct. 31
and Dec. 21 of 2000, respectively. Aerospace
experts said the three satellites have formed
a complete satellite navigation and positioning
system, which will help to ensure all-weather
navigation and positioning information.
¡¡¡¡The navigation system, which
serves as a radio beacon in outer space, can
help subscribers know their location at any
time and place with accurate longitude, latitude
and altitude data.
¡¡¡¡(June 3, Xinhuanet)