Chinese Satellite System begins operation

800px Beidou Coverage

The China Daily news service recently announced that the Chinese Compass satellite navigation system — similar to American GPS — has been declared operational on a limited basis. This follows the December 2, 2011, launch of the tenth Compass satellite. The system will provide navigation, positioning and timing data on a pilot basis to China and the neighboring area. Six more satellites are scheduled for launch next year and by 2020 the entire 35-satellite constellation is expected to be in place. 

By Ocean Navigator