China has successfully launched an orbiter into space from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwestern Sichuan Province. It is the seventh orbiter that China has launched for its independent satellite navigation and positioning network system.

The newly launched satellite joins six other satellites already in orbit to form a network. The Navigation System is called BeiDou after the Big Dipper constellation.

Beidou is designed to provide navigation, time and short message services in the Asia and Pacific region before 2012.

Sun Jiadong, Chief Designer, Beidou Navigation System, said, "As of November this year, six satellites for BeiDou had been launched. Next year, we will launch about ten satellites. In the latter half of next year, the BeiDou system will be put into use in China and neighbouring countries."

China started building its own satellite navigation system in 2000 to end its dependence on the US GPS system. At that time, it sent two orbiters to form a dual-satellite experimental positioning system.

Beidou will eventually consist of more than thirty satellites, and will be capable of providing global navigation services by 2020.

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