Latest News

Report: China to Develop GPS System by 2020

By Jeffrey Hill | March 3, 2011

      [Satellite TODAY 03-03-11] China will launch 12 to 14 imagery satellites by 2020 to form its own global navigation positioning system, China’s state-owned newspaper, People’s Daily, reported March 2.
          In the report, Chinese space technology expert and advisor to the state government Faren Qi said the Chinese version of the U.S. GPS system would be developed in a three-phase plan. The first step will include the build-up of a regional navigation system, followed by a series of satellite launches under the government’s 12th five-year plan ending in 2015.
          “By the end of 2020, China will have more than 30 satellites around the world,” Qi said in the report. “GPS is essential from China’s economic and defense point of view, but the regional navigation cannot meet the current demand. It will also form a satellite application industry and develop into a strategic emerging industry to provide services to people.”