15:12 GMT, January 2, 2012 (Released Dec. 29, 2011) A series of successful launches of Beidou satellites and the construction of the Beidou Navigation Satellite System have attracted widespread attention and discussions in public both at home and abroad.

Zhao Xiaojin, director of the Aerospace Department of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, said that China Aerospace Group is now in the period with highly frequent launches, and the goal set in the "Twelfth Five-Year Plan" is to have 100 rockets launched, 100 satellites sent into the space, and 100 satellites orbiting stably in operations. In the recent 4 to 5 years, averagely 20 space launch activities were implemented each year. This year, China Aerospace Group has completed 19 space launches with 21 spacecrafts launched, including 3 Beidou navigation satellites. The Tiangong-1 and the Shenzhou VIII were among them as well. This year China ranks No.2 in the world by the number of space launches, while Russia makes 36 launches, China makes 19 launches, and the United States makes 18 launches. The Beidou Navigation Satellite System will develop and launch 30-plus navigation satellites by 2020, and the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation assumes the tasks of the research and development as well as the launch of the two major systems of the satellite and the rocket carrier.


----
By Ma Li, Zhao Zhuqing and Bi Lei / People's Daily Online