China launches 23rd navigation satellite as part of positioning system

China has successfully launched its 23rd satellite to support its global navigation and positioning network, which is being developed to rival the US' Global Positioning System.

The 23rd satellite in the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province yesterday. The satellite was put into orbit by a Long March-3C carrier rocket. It was the 229th launch of the Long March carrier rocket.

The BDS satellite system is being developed as an alternative to America's Global Positioning System (GPS). The satellite, after entering its designed work orbit and finishing in-orbit testing, will join 22 others already in orbit and improve the stability of the system, preparing for BDS to offer global coverage, the report said. The system will have two kinds of services; one for civilians with positional accuracy of 10 meters and for the military and authorized user’s service, providing better positional, velocity and time accuracy.