Great achievements in China aerospace industry

Beijing(China)—At the Zhuhai Air Show it was learnt that China has begun to build its own global satellite navigation system using technology developed entirely in China — the Beidou satellite navigation system. Like “Shenzhou V” and “Shenzhou VI”, the Beidou system is a major project undertaken by China’s aerospace program, reflecting the development and achievements of China’s aerospace industry.
Level of space technology has become an indicator of a nation’s comprehensive strength. The peaceful use of space resources is an important way to develop the aerospace industry in China.
As a country with vast territory, China should have its own global positioning system. This technology is of strategic importance to the national economy, and is therefore essential to China. Instead of relying on other countries, China must design its own Global Positioning System. History has shown us that it is impossible either to take or to buy advanced technology directly from foreign countries. Countries which have developed advanced technology are, understandably, protective of their work. If they do sell the intellectual property rights to their technology, they are likely to impose a number of conditions and the price is usually high. Once a monopoly on technology is broken, prices fall.
The satellite navigation system is an important part of space infrastructure; it is essentially a navigational radio installed in space. The completion of this satellite will bring social and economic benefits to the country. Currently, only a few countries have their own satellite navigation systems, of which only the United States (GPS) and Russia (GLONASS) actually operate their systems. Europe’s Galileo satellite global positioning system is now being developed.
In 2000, China successfully launched three Beidou navigation satellites and completed the construction of the Beidou navigation test system. The system can locate users using their geographic latitude and longitude within the service area at any time and in any place. Moreover, it can provide its users with a two-way short message service and a precise timing service. Currently, the system is playing an important role in fields such as mapping, telecommunications, water, road traffic, railway transport, fishery production, exploration, forest fire prevention and national security.
In addition to meeting the needs of the growing economy, by developing its own global positioning system, China will also be able to provide services to other countries. The biggest difference between the Beidou satellite navigation system, GPS and GLONASS systems is that not only can Beidou pinpoint the location of its users but it can share this information with others. This function is particularly useful for navigation and mobile data communication in areas such as transportation, command and control, search and rescue and immediate geographic information inquiries. China plans to launch two Beidou navigation satellites in early 2007 and have them operating smoothly around 2008. It will do systematic testing to gradually expand the range of the system to the globe.
China advocates greater international cooperation in the field of aerospace. To make the Beidou satellite navigation system more compatible and to improve the application of its services, China has expressed a desire to cooperate with other countries to develop the satellite navigation industry.

—Daily Mail, People’s Daily news exchange item