China plans to launch up to 10 satellites this year as part of a plan to rival America's GPS navigation network

AP

• China plans to launch eight to 10 satellites this year to enhance the coverage of its Beidou navigation system.
• Beidou has both military and civilian applications – just like the rival Global Positioning System operated by the US Air Force.
• The medium earth orbit network will consist of 27 satellites when completed.

China hopes to finish a key phase of its Beidou navigation system (BDS) – a rival to America’s GPS network – by the end of the year, according to state media reports.

China Central TV said eight to 10 satellites would be launched this year to enhance the network’s coverage, and if all went well it would be able to complete the medium earth orbit network.

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