China has launched its sixth satellite in its Beidou-2 GPS program – its fourth this year – and expects to send eight more into orbit by year-end.
The Chinese space industry is ready to mass-produce the satellites, planning to have more than a dozen aloft by 2012, providing Asia-Pacific coverage, scmp.com reports. By 2020 it will have complete global coverage with 35 satellites
As with the 20-year-old GPS system, Beidou-2’s prime function is military, but it is also intended to spark China’s commercial location and nav-based apps market.
Currently, Chinese forces must rely almost entirely on the GSP, Xu Guangyu, a retired general, told SCMP. The PLA would offer the service to foreign governments for military use, he said.
After seven years testing, the first Beidou-2 non-experimental Beidou-2 sat was launched in 2007.
A mainland satellite plant has been at full capacity for the past three years to make the Beidou-2 craft. They are now expected to roll quickly off an assembly line, the project’s official website said.
MORE ARTICLES ON: Beidou-2, China, GPS