China launches two satellites

Beijing, April 30 (IANS) China Monday successfully launched into space two navigation satellites, authorities said.

The launch of the 12th and 13th satellites for the Beidou global navigation and positioning network took place at 4:50 a.m. Monday, the launch center said.

The Beidou-2 satellites, launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in the southwestern province of Sichuan, were boosted by a Long March-3B carrier rocket and have entered the orbit, reported Xinhua.

It is the first time China has launched two navigation satellites with one rocket, and the two satellites will help to improve the accuracy of the Beidou, or compass system, the center said in a statement.

China will launch three more satellites for the Beidou network this year and a global satellite positioning and navigation system will be completed in 2020 with more than 30 orbiters, the statement said.

Monday's mission marked the 160th flight of China's Long March series of carrier rockets.