The Beidou indigenous satellite navigation and positioning network was carried into a geostationary orbit. The satellite is equipped with hardware that will enable it to provide high-accuracy positioning services for users in China and neighboring countries.

   The Beidou-1 network played a role in the rescue efforts following a devastating earthquake that struck China’s Wenchuan province in May 2008. The network will provide satellite navigation, time and short message services for Asia-Pacific regions by 2012 and global services by 2020.

   A report issued July 26 by China’s official news agency Xinhua, claimed that the most recent launch carried China’s ninth Beidou satellite since 2007 and that the system will eventually consist of 35 satellites.