China on Sunday sent twin satellites into space via a single carrier rocket, entering a period with unprecedentedly intensive launches of BeiDou satellites.

The Long March-3B carrier rocket lifted off from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province at 9:48 a.m., the 281st mission of the Long March rocket series.

The twin satellites are the 33rd and 34th of the BeiDou navigation system. They entered orbit more than three hours after the launch. After a series of tests, they will work together with eight BeiDou-3 satellites already in orbit, said the launch service provider.

A basic system with 18 BeiDou-3 satellites orbiting will be in place by the year end, which will serve countries participating in the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative.

Named after the Chinese term for the Big Dipper, the BeiDou system started serving China in 2000 and the Asia-Pacific region in 2012. It will be the 4th global satellite navigation system after the U.S. GPS system, Russia's GLONASS and the European Union's Galileo.

The satellites and the rocket for Sunday's launch were developed by the China Academy of Space Technology and China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, respectively.

Source: Xinhua News

Related Links
BeiDou
GPS Applications, Technology and Suppliers

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The Space Media Network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceMediaNetwork Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceMediaNetwork Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

GMV and Tecnobit partners with Skydel
Madrid, Spain (SPX) Jul 24, 2018
GMV, Tecnobit and Skydel reports that they are working to adapt Skydel's Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) simulation solution to support the latest developments of the Galileo GNSS, synchronizing with the European efforts to bring a modern, highly-accurate and secure positioning system to the market. GMV, Tecnobit, and Skydel aim to provide corporations, universities, and research labs with a reliable, advanced simulation system that closely follows the latest Galileo capabilities. ... read more