China Launches Beidou-2 L2 the 7th Satellite in Compass Navigation Satellite System

This afternoon at 3:20 p.m. EST China launched the Beidou-2 L2 satellite he 7th satellite in their Compass Navigation Satellite System. The satellite was launched from the XiChang Satellite Launch Center in near Liangshan in Sichuan province on a Long March 3A rocket. This is the 15th successful Chinese launch this year.

The BeiDou-2 or Compass Navigation Satellite System is China’s second-generation satellite navigation constellation which will consist of 35 satellites. The constellation is capable of providing continuous, real-time passive 3D geo-spatial positioning and speed measurement and is intended for both civilian and military use. This is the 7th satellite in the constellation to be launched.