China plans to develop its own independent global satellite navigation system by 2015, which will make it the third world power to develop such a Global Positioning System (GPS). China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation announced that Beidou II satellites, independently developed by China, will enter the height of the network formation period this year. Beidou is expected to develop into a satellite navigation system with global coverage by 2015, according to a report by China Central Television (CCTV).
The Beidou navigation system which will have both military as well as civil applications will arm Chinese aircraft and satellite systems, the official news agency of China reported on Monday quoting a senior space official.
Zhang Xiaojin, director of astronautics department with China Aerospace Science said: “China plans to send 10 navigation satellites into the space between 2009 and 2010 for the purpose. China plans to complete its independent global satellite navigation system by launching more than 30 satellites by the year 2015”.
Currently, the U.S.'s Global Positioning System (GPS) is the world leader. The Russians have just launched their system called Global Navigation Satellite System GLOSSNOS and the European Union has Galileo Positioning System.
China has sent five positioning orbiters into the space. The current Beidou system only provides regional navigation service within China's territory. Since Beidou's fifth orbiter launched in April 2007, China has started to upgrade the navigation system to the second generation, code named COMPASS.
Chinese civilian and military users could be guided by their own satellites worldwide after the Beidou becomes the world's fourth edition of global navigation systems.
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