China Satellite Navigation Office announced on the 25thday of this month (Beijing Time: 7:52 a.m., August 25) that China has successfully launched the 35thand the 36thBeiDou Navigation Satellites on a single carrier rocket, using Long March-3B and its upper stage YZ-1 at Xichang Satellite Launch Center. They will operate around the medium-high orbit as the 11thand 12thnetworking satellites of Beidou-3.

The twin satellites were sent to scheduled orbit after over 3 hours of flight. After a series of tests, they will work together with 10 other Beidou-3 satellites already in orbit and start their services on schedule.

The twin satellites as well as Long March-3B and its upper stage YZ-1 used in this launch were developed under the guidance of Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of Chinese Academy of Sciences, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, and China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology. It was the 283rd mission of the Long March rocket series.