At 23:58, June 2, 2010 (Beijing time), China successfully blasted off another satellite in the Compass navigation series aboard a CZIIIC launch vehicle, from the Xi'chang Satellite Launch Center. At 18:30, June 7, the ground control in Xi'an successfully captured the satellite, and made it sit in a geostationary orbit at 84.6° east longitude above the equator. The ground control also opened up the effective payloads, including 1st and 2nd generation navigation equipment aboard the new satellite, the fourth of its kind so far deployed by China in the geostationary orbit. The development marks a step closer to the full operation of China's own satellite navigation system.
