The latest satellite in China's Beidou-2 navigation system has been launched in Xichang. The system is expected to start providing positioning and navigation services for China and neighboring areas by the end of this year.

The latest satellite in China's Beidou-2 navigation system has been launched in Xichang.

The moment we've been waiting for, after years of development at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, the 16th satellite in the Beidou-2 System is ready to be carried into orbit. Those involved in the project have big plans for the future.

Guo Shuren, Research Fellow, China Satellite Navigation System, said, "Once we've completed the second stage of the Beidou system which will provide services to the Asia-Pacific Region, we plan to make the Beidou a global satellite positioning and navigation system with more than 30 orbiters by the end of 2020."

The Xichang command center has had many successful launches in the past. But there's still tension here. And for a mission like this, it is all about paying attention to details.

The launch of the latest satellite for the Beidou-2 system is a remarkable milestone in the development of China's independent satellite navigation.

And once the system is fully established by 2020, it will play a major role in the country's economic development and national security.

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