Beidou Satellite Drifts from Geostationary Orbital Slot

Beidou Satellite Drifts from Geostationary Orbital Slot
December 1, 2009

Beidou G2, launched last April, has drifted 10 degrees from its initial g=
eostationary=20
orbital slot. G2 is the Chinese global navigation satellite system's seco=
nd satellite.=20
This may mean that it is uncontrollable and has been abandoned. Such a fa=
ilure =E2=80=94 if it is=20
one =E2=80=94 may delay launch of new satellites to begin filling out the=
Chinese GNSS, which is=20
also known as Compass. As previously reported, demonstration satellite Be=
idou 1D is also=20
adrift.

For more, read Editor Alan Cameron's Wide Awake blog.
http://www.gpsworld.com/gnss-system/wide-awake-dirt-6500