China begins using new global positioning satellite

[somebozo]

China begins using new global positioning satellite

By BEN BLANCHARD | REUTERS
Published: Dec 27, 2011 15:00 Updated: Dec 27, 2011 15:00

BEIJING: China took a further step on Tuesday toward ending its dependence on US satellites to provide navigation and positioning services with the start of trial operations of its homegrown Beidou system.

China 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.

Ran Chengqi, spokesman for the new system, told reporters that Beidou, or “Big Dipper,” would cover most parts of the Asia Pacific by next year and then the world by 2020.

China has already launched 10 satellites to support Beidou and would launch another six next year, he said.

State media have said the system will eventually comprise 35 satellites, which will be used for a variety of sectors including fisheries, meteorology and telecommunications.

China has ambitious plans for space, including a space station and a manned trip to the moon.

While China has vowed never to militarize space, experts say it is ramping up the military use of space with new satellites.

The successful missile “kill” of an old satellite in early 2007 represented a new level of ability for the Chinese military, and last year China successfully tested emerging technology aimed at destroying missiles in mid-air.

© 2010 Arab News

 

[below_freezing]

There is nothing spectacular about this sort of technology. GPS, Galileo and Glonass has already been working on this, never mind that Galileo is still unoperational and Glonass is at approximately the same stage as Beidou... uh, they're better because they're white! And of course, their ancestors were actually ours, so we take credit for GPS, Galileo and Glonass.

/troll

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Well its wonderful to be control of your own communication , and systems only silly folks use someone Else's GPS

 

[twocents]

I saw a Chinese media report last Novenber about a Pakistani delegation in Beijing discussing the sharing of Beidou navigation data. Civilian grade data is open to all. The discussion had to be about the sharing of military grade navigation data. The only country that China is willing to share classified data in the military area will be Pakistan.

 

[gambit]

If you value your privacy, do not use Beidou.

 

[mughaljee]

Congratulation China.