Beidou experienced past interference

A Beidou Satellite Navigation System model (left) and the Shenzhou IX spaceship are displayed during the 16th China Beijing International High-Tech Expo on May 22, 2013. [Photo/Xinhua]

A Beidou systems satellite is now believed to have experienced past interference from a complex electromagnetic environment, which cut off signal transmissions in 2007, People's Daily reported.

Since 1994, Beidou has grown into a Chinese-made satellite navigation system consisting of 14 satellites, and covering the Asia-Pacific area as of late 2012. The further development of its navigation system will see the planet covered by 2020 with at least 16 new satellites joining the group.

Thanks to the team of scientists at Beidou, they were able to overcome the interference issue in less than three months by 2008.

Wang Feixue, a scientist specializing in the Beidou navigation system and a senior colonel in the People's Liberation Army said, “Had they not been able to recover the signal within three months, future satellite launches would have been indefinitely delayed. And satellites already launched would have been put out of operation.”

China is the third country which has been able to develop its own satellite navigation system, following the United States and Russia.