China Launches Second Compass (Beidou-2) Satellite in $1.46 Billion First Phase
Compass-G2 Launch, April 15, 2009 (Xinhua/Li Gang photo)Launch of a second modernized Compass (Beidou 2) satellite on April 14 — this one a geostationary spacecraft — marks the return of China to its GNSS launch program two years after the initial venture into space.
Designated Compass G2 — reflecting the geostationary nature of its intended orbital position about 22,300 miles above the equator, the satellite lifted off at 16:16 UTC aboard a Long March 3C rocket from the Xichang launch base in southwestern China’s Sichuan province, according to China’s state news agency Xinhua.
By Inside GNSS

