Xinhua Xichang on 17 January, zero twelve on January 17th, China's use of "long three" carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center Launch third Beidou navigation satellite. This is the Chinese year of the first satellite launch, is the long march rocket 122nd flight.

    Beidou satellite navigation system (English abbreviation COMPASS, Chinese transliteration of the name BeiDou) is a global navigation satellite system of independent development, China is implementing the independent operation of the. The system is mainly serve the national economic construction, in order to provide navigation and positioning services for Chinese high in many areas of transportation, meteorology, marine, petroleum, forest fire prevention, disaster forecast, communication, public security and national security etc..

    China has successfully launched four Beidou navigation satellite and two Beidou navigation satellite, will the system networking and experimental basis, gradually extended to the global navigation satellite system.

    It is understood, in order to promote the public understanding of Beidou navigation satellite latest progress and related information, operation, development, launch applications from more participation and Beidou satellite navigation system, the official website (www.beidou.gov.cn) was officially opened on fifteen days of zero hour.