[Satellite TODAY 01-19-10] China has launched its third Beidou navigation satellite, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. announced Jan. 18.
    A Changzheng-series rocket carried the satellite into geostationary orbit Jan. 17. The launch is part of China’s Compass Navigation Satellite System and will be followed by the launch of five geostationary satellites and 30 non-geostationary orbit satellites to provide navigation, timing and short-message communication services in the Asia-Pacific region.
    Chinese government officials said the country is planning for global Compass system coverage by 2020.