The 55th and last satellite of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) has commenced operation in the network after completing in-orbit tests and network access evaluations, according to a statement from China's Satellite Navigation System Management Office Wednesday.
Launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center on June 23, the satellite is a geostationary earth orbit satellite of the BDS-3 system, which has been offering basic navigation services to countries and regions along the Belt and Road, as well as the world, since December 2018.
According to the office, the satellite will offer users positioning, navigation and timing services. It was developed by the China Academy of Space Technology.
Named after the Chinese term for the Big Dipper constellation, BeiDou is one of the four space-based navigation networks operating globally, along with the U.S. GPS, Russia's GLONASS and the European Union's Galileo networks.
- China’s first solar exploration satellite makes breakthroughs
- China’s first solar exploration satellite makes progress
- China’s expressway network links 95 pct of population
- National road network to cover Chinese cities, counties with populations over 100,000
- China launches new data relay satellite
- China aims to build modern national road network by 2035
Popular Videos
Hot comments
- First apes at U.S. zoo receive COVID-19 vaccine made for animals, zoo official says
- China Life: Chinese women shine with She Power
- Foreign firms approved to offer VPN services in capital
- Homemade curling videos trending in China
- 86-year-old grandma in Hebei spends most her life on traditional cheongsam
- Winners of 2022 Inaugural WLA Prize announced
- Lantern Festival: A romantic celebration in China
- Two Chinese COVID-19 vaccine firms to supply vaccines to COVAX
- Media center for 20th CPC national congress to open on Oct. 12
- Six suspects arrested in HK for role in SE Asia job scam
Top Reviews
- Young artists recreate beauty of traditional Hanfu costume
- China releases photos of tallest tree
- English version of ‘Understanding Xi Jinping’s Educational Philosophy’ published
- China crowned in men’s team for 10th straight time at table tennis worlds
- China publishes Atlas of Wildlife in SW China
- Guangxi’s 10 Years: A Visit to China’s Qinzhou Port
- Congress delegate helped lift village out of poverty
- Expo highlights joint efforts in NEV development
- Racism stain of shame on ‘world democratic paradise’
- U.S. may face new COVID wave this upcoming winter: report