China completes BeiDou-3 worldwide navigation constellation
BeiDou constellation. (Image: BeiDou program)
China completed its worldwide BeiDou navigation satellite system with the launch of its final satellite on June 23, according to China Global Television Network.
The satellite launched aboard a Long March-3B carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center at 9:43 a.m. Beijing time (0143 GMT) on Tuesday, marking the completion of the country’s domestically developed BeiDou constellation.
The launch followed a delay of after originally being scheduled for July 16 because of a technical issue discovered in pre-flight tests.
The final satellite is a geostationary earth orbit satellite of the BDS-3 system. It is the 30th BDS-3 satellite and the 55th BeiDou satellite. BDS-3 is a a 30-satellite navigation system.
BDS-3 offers high-precision positioning and short message communication.
Begun in 1994, BDS-1 was completed in 2000 to provide services to China. In 02012, BDS-2 was finished, and has provided navigation service to the Asia-Pacific region. Once the final satellite achieves orbit and is checked out successfully, BDS-3 will provide navigation services worldwide.
Screenshot: China Global Television Network
About the Author: Tracy Cozzens
Tracy Cozzens has been with GPS World magazine in varying capacities since 2006, wearing many hats during her tenure. She has worked in government, for non-profits, and in corporate communications, editing a variety of publications for audiences ranging from federal government contractors to teachers.
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