Start GRASP/Japan Japan launches second satellite to boost GPS as China builds own Beidou...

Japan launches second satellite to boost GPS as China builds own Beidou navigation system

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Regional rival China has been building its own GPS system to make domestic users, including the military, less dependent on foreign technology
Japan is building its own GPS in hopes of reducing location errors for drivers, drone operators and other users. A rocket launched Thursday from southern Japan is carrying a satellite that will form part of a Japanese Global Positioning System (GPS) . The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries plan to launch two more satellites by next spring to complete the system. Japan currently relies on an American GPS. Having its own system is expected to reduce location errors in Japan to a few centimetres from as much as 10 meters by some estimates. The more accurate information could be used for both driving and drone deliveries. Japanese media report it also may enhance the country’s defence capabilities. China has been building its own version of GPS, called the, to make its domestic users, including the military, less dependent on foreign technology.

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