China has put a new "Compass" navigation satellite into use
after technicians completed the third position fixing on Monday,
according to China's satellite control center.
The satellite, launched early Saturday, is part of the country's
ambitious "Compass" navigational system, which is expected to
provide services to customers all over China and neighboring
countries by 2008. It will eventually be expanded to become a
global navigation and positioning network.
The Xi'an Satellite Control Center reported that it adjusted the
satellite's position via remote control system for the last time on
Monday, sending the satellite into the exact orbit.
It said the onboard equipments are functioning well.
The "Compass" navigational system is mainly designed for the
country's economic development, providing navigation and
positioning services in transportation, meteorology, petroleum
prospecting, forest fire monitoring, disaster forecasting,
telecommunications, and public security, among others.
The system includes at least 35 satellites, namely five
geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) and 30 medium Earth orbit (MEO)
satellites, according to previous reports.
On February 3, China successfully put a test "Compass" satellite
into orbit, the fourth of such experimental satellites launched
since 2000.
Experts said the "Compass" navigation experimental system is
operating well and has played a significant role in providing
all-weather and all-day navigation and positioning information.
China is one of a few countries in the world that are capable of
developing navigation satellite systems on its own. Previous
reports said the "Compass" system will provide clients with
positioning accuracy within 10 meters, velocity accuracy with 0.2
meter per second and timing accuracy within 50 nanoseconds.
(Xinhua News Agency April 17, 2007)