China Launches Third Beidou Navigation Satellite
January 18, 2010
http://www.gpsworld.com/gnss-system/...e-9397?print=1

The Chinese government announced a third Beidou navigation satellite was
launched into orbit on January 17, an important step in the construction
of the Compass Navigation Satellite System.

According to the announcement, China is implementing the Compass
Navigation Satellite System (BeiDou/COMPASS) and planning the successive
launch of five geostationary satellites and 30 non-geostationary orbit
satellites designed to provide global coverage. Prior to this, China
launched two Beidou navigation satellites. In accordance with the
construction plan, the initial Compass satellite navigation system will
provide coverage in the Asia-Pacific region with navigation, timing, and
short-message communication service capabilities with a plan for global
coverage by 2020.

The announcement stated that the Beidou satellite navigation system
provides two kinds of service modes: an open service and an authorized
service. The open service is provided free of charge in the service area
location providing velocity and timing services, positioning accuracy of
10 meters, timing accuracy of 10 nanoseconds, and velocity accuracy of
0.2 m/s. The authorized service provides a more secure position,
velocity, timing, and communications services as well as well as a
higher level of integrity.

According to the announcement, the satellite and carrier rocket are
owned by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. The
carrier was a Changzheng series rocket.