China launched 22nd BeiDou navigation satellite

               

                On 30 March 2016, China launched its 22^nd satellite for its BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS). The satellite launched aboard a Long March-3A carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in the southwestern province of Sichuan. The BeiDou system will be completed in 2020 and will comprise over 30 satellites. It was the 225^th launch of the Long March carrier rocket.

                BeiDou currently provides navigation services within China and the neighboring regions. After entering its designated work orbit and finishing in-orbit testing, it will join other available in the orbit. After completion, the project would become an equivalent of the US Global Positioning System, Russia’s Glonass, and Europe’s Galileo navigation satellites.