China sent twin BeiDou-3 navigation satellites into space on a Long March-3B carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China’s Sichuan Province at 7:52 a.m. BJT Saturday.

The twin satellites are the 35th and 36th of the BeiDou navigation system, and the 283rd mission of the Long March rocket series.

Over three hours after the launch, the pair successfully entered their designated orbit, readying to work together with the previous 10 BeiDou-3 satellites already in orbit to form a wider network providing services for users.

The twin BeiDou-3 navigation satellites on a Long March-3B carrier rocket at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center /CGTN Photo

A basic system with 18 BeiDou-3 satellites orbiting the Earth will be in place by year-end, and will serve countries participating in the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative.