China launched a fourth satellite into space at 23:53 Wednesday June 2, as a part of its satellite navigation and positioning network known as Beidou, or Compass system. The satellite was launched from the Long March 3 carrier rocket.
China has a three-step plan to build up its own satellite navigation system to break its dependence on the U.S: the first step, already done, from 2000 to 2003, was to launch three satellites to test the system; the second step is, by 2012, to enable the system to navigate, position, and communicate throughout the Asia Pacific region; the third and final step is to build a network eventually consisting of 35 satellites to cover the whole globe.
Source: China News Service, June 3, 2010
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