Successful BeiDou Launch

News & Press: Space

02 November 2018 (0 Comments)

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China has successfully launched a Beidou navigation satellite into a geosynchronous transfer orbit.

The Long March 3B departed the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre at 2357 local (1557 UTC) on 1 November. The China Aerospace Science and Technology Group (CASC) declared the mission a success around an hour after launch.

The Beidou-3 G1Q satellite is the 41st to join the constellation since 2000 and will enter a geosynchronous equatorial orbit (GEO) at ~36,000 km height. It will provide a satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) as well as a radio determination satellite service (RDSS) and short message service (SMS).

The 4,600 kg satellite carries a phased array antenna for navigation signals and a laser retroreflector.

The final system of 35 operational Beidou satellites will comprise:
- 27 in MEO at ~21,450km altitude and 55.5º inclination
- 5 in geostationary orbit (GEO)
- 3 in inclined geosynchronous orbit (IGSO)

These should provide global GNSS coverage with a claimed positioning accuracy of 2.5 metres. Full Operational Capability (FOC) is scheduled for early 2020.

Details from GB Times