Article Posted on : - Dec 16, 2010

An artistic representation of Beidou or Compass, navigation satellite.

BEIJING (PTI): China will launch its seventh orbiter into space in "coming days" as part of its indigenous satellite-navigation and positioning network.

A spokesman for the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, in southwest China's Sichuan Province said Thursday that the "Beidou" or Compass, navigation satellite will be launched on a Long March-3A carrier rocket.

The satellite and rocket are now in good conditions, state-run Xinhua news agency quoted him as saying.

The satellite is expected to join six other satellites already in orbit to form a network, which will eventually consist of 35 satellites.

China started building its own satellite navigation system to end its dependence upon the US GPS system in 2000, when it sent two orbiters as a double-satellite experimental positioning system.

Beidou, as the system is called, is designed to provide navigation, time and short message services in the Asia and Pacific region in 2010 and will be capable of providing global navigation services by 2020.