China deploys additional satellites to improve BeiDou-3 services
On Thursday, China successfully launched the final pair of backup satellites for the BeiDou-3 Navigation Satellite System (BDS-3).
TroibNews 
China successfully launched the final pair of backup satellites for the BeiDou-3 Navigation Satellite System on Thursday. The satellites, marking the 59th and 60th in the BeiDou series, were deployed at 9:14 a.m. using a Long March-3B rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province, located in southwest China.
These two medium Earth orbit satellites are expected to enhance the reliability of the system and improve the services related to positioning, navigation, timing, and short message communication for users around the world, according to reports from China Media Group.
In addition to these backup satellites, the BDS-3 currently operates a total of 30 networking satellites in orbit, most of which have been in service for six years. Since many of these satellites are designed for a lifespan of ten years, researchers are planning for an upgrade that will involve the deployment of new satellites.
Liu Yingchun, chief designer of BDS-3, stated, "We will enter the deployment of BDS-4, with the two satellites serving as the last additions to BDS-3." He also mentioned that the new satellites would conduct technical verification and exploration alongside their regular operational duties within the constellation.
China's BeiDou navigation system follows a three-step development strategy. The initial phase focused on providing services for domestic users, followed by an expansion to the Asia-Pacific region, and ultimately aiming to serve users worldwide. The completion of BDS-1 and BDS-2 occurred in 2000 and 2012, respectively, establishing China as the third country to have an independent global navigation satellite system upon the completion and operational status of BDS-3 in July 2020.
However, the completion of this three-step strategy is not the finale. By 2035, the country plans to establish a more comprehensive, integrated, and intelligent system that boasts enhanced positioning, navigation, and timing capabilities. This ambitious scheme aims to create a robust, secure, and reliable infrastructure centered around BDS, with coverage extending from indoor areas to outdoor environments, and from deep sea to deep space.
To realize this vision, China intends to establish a low-orbit constellation system utilizing BDS by 2025. This initiative aims to facilitate global access to centimeter-level positioning services while also addressing technical challenges associated with navigation signals and interference, particularly in contexts such as underwater, indoor, and deep space navigation.
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
These two medium Earth orbit satellites are expected to enhance the reliability of the system and improve the services related to positioning, navigation, timing, and short message communication for users around the world, according to reports from China Media Group.
In addition to these backup satellites, the BDS-3 currently operates a total of 30 networking satellites in orbit, most of which have been in service for six years. Since many of these satellites are designed for a lifespan of ten years, researchers are planning for an upgrade that will involve the deployment of new satellites.
Liu Yingchun, chief designer of BDS-3, stated, "We will enter the deployment of BDS-4, with the two satellites serving as the last additions to BDS-3." He also mentioned that the new satellites would conduct technical verification and exploration alongside their regular operational duties within the constellation.
China's BeiDou navigation system follows a three-step development strategy. The initial phase focused on providing services for domestic users, followed by an expansion to the Asia-Pacific region, and ultimately aiming to serve users worldwide. The completion of BDS-1 and BDS-2 occurred in 2000 and 2012, respectively, establishing China as the third country to have an independent global navigation satellite system upon the completion and operational status of BDS-3 in July 2020.
However, the completion of this three-step strategy is not the finale. By 2035, the country plans to establish a more comprehensive, integrated, and intelligent system that boasts enhanced positioning, navigation, and timing capabilities. This ambitious scheme aims to create a robust, secure, and reliable infrastructure centered around BDS, with coverage extending from indoor areas to outdoor environments, and from deep sea to deep space.
To realize this vision, China intends to establish a low-orbit constellation system utilizing BDS by 2025. This initiative aims to facilitate global access to centimeter-level positioning services while also addressing technical challenges associated with navigation signals and interference, particularly in contexts such as underwater, indoor, and deep space navigation.
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
