China is building her own second generation Beidou system

[oneman28]

including 4 (static Geosynchronous orbit) + 12 (Medium Earth Orbit orbit)+ 9 (high orbit) satellites.

The system is based on the first generation of "Beidou" system which has only 3 satellites and covers only China and around.

The second generation system will cover the earth in 2010 and commercial usage will begin in 2008. The first satellite of this system will be launched this summer.

[Ray]

Aha!

Now the Red Star will watch the world! ;)

[coolieno99]

including 4 (static Geosynchronous orbit) + 12 (Medium Earth Orbit orbit)+ 9 (high orbit) satellites.

The system is based on the first generation of "Beidou" system which has only 3 satellites and covers only China and around.

The second generation system will cover the earth in 2010 and commercial usage will begin in 2008. The first satellite of this system will be launched this summer.

Is this a GPS system? I read somewhere China planned to join the European GPS system Galileo.

[oneman28]

Is this a GPS system? I read somewhere China planned to join the European GPS system Galileo.

Yes, this is a GPS-like system. China only will invest about $200 million and participate in the European project.

Beidou (NorthStar) system is a domestic one. Beidou -1 was finished last year which was mainly for testing purpose. I think the military is the only user of Beidou 1 so far.

[coolieno99]

Yes, this is a GPS-like system. China only will invest about $200 million and participate in the European project.

Beidou (NorthStar) system is a domestic one. Beidou -1 was finished last year which was mainly for testing purpose. I think the military is the only user of Beidou 1 so far.

The Beidou-2 is probably going to be China's most advance satellite system. I always thought the 3 satellite Beidou-1 is not enough, but as you said it is really just a test system. Where do you get your information on the Beidou-2 system from?