Tag: BeiDou-3 satellite

China launches first geostationary BeiDou-3 satellite

Photo: Xinhua News Agency

China has launched its first geostationary satellite for the BeiDou constellation, according to press reports.

The successful launch of satellite G1Q took place at 15:57 UTC on Nov. 1 from the LC2 Launch Complex of the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, Sichuan province, using a Long March-3B/G2 (Chang Zheng-3B/G2) launch vehicle.

Beidou-3G satellites are the geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) component of the third phase of the Chinese Beidou satellite navigation system. The GEO satellites will be in high orbit, about 36,000 kilometers above the Earth, following the Earth’s rotation to view the same point on Earth continuously.

In addition to navigation services, the satellite will serve as a satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) and provide short message services (Research Data Shared Service, RDSS).

The G1Q satellite is the 17th BeiDou-3 satellite and the 41st overall BeiDou satellite. Another pair of BeiDou-3 medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellites, M17 and M18, will be launched in mid-November.

The recent BeiDou launches will expand the system to global navigation coverage.

The G1Q satellite is based on the DFH-3B bus that features a phased array antenna for navigation signals and a laser retroreflector, and also is equipped with an apogee propulsion system for final orbit insertion. The satellite has a launch mass of about 4,600 kg.

November 1, 2018
China launches pair of BeiDou-3 satellites into orbit

China successfully launched a pair of BeiDou-3 navigation satellites into medium Earth orbits on Oct. 15, according to GB Times.

Four hours after the launch, the two satellites were inserted into their intended orbits, according to the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). The satellites, numbered M15 and M16, are the 39th and 40th launched as part of China’s Beidou system, following the launch of the first in 2000.

Another pair of BeiDou satellites is expected to be launched in November, according to Richard Langley’s Upcoming Satellite Launches.

Liftoff of the Long March 3B rocket sending the Beidou-3 M15 and M16 satellites into orbit. (Photo: CALT)

For the Oct. 15 launch, a Long March 3B rocket with a Yuanzheng-1 upper stage lifted off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in southwest China at 04:23 universal time (12:23 local, 00:23 Eastern).

The China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), which developed the Long March 3B rocket, reported that data logging and active tracking equipment was placed aboard for tests to determine to altitude and timing for future parachute landings for boosters.

Expended rocket boosters frequently land in or near populated areas downrange of Xichang. The trial phase of parachute booster landings is expected in 2019.

October 15, 2018
China launches yet more BeiDou navigation satellites

China sends twin BeiDou-3 navigation satellites into space on a single carrier rocket from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Xichang, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Sept. 19, 2018. (Photo: Xinhua/Liang Keyan)

On Sept. 19, China successfully sent twin BeiDou-3 navigation satellites into space on a single carrier rocket, according to state news agency Xinhuanet.

This is the third launch of twin BeiDou-3 satellites in less than eight weeks. China launched two more pairs of BeiDou navigation satellites into space on July 29 and Aug. 25.

The Long March-3B carrier rocket lifted off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center at 10:07 p.m. It was the 285th mission of the Long March rocket series.

The twin satellites are the 37th and 38th editions of the BeiDou navigation system. After a series of tests and evaluations, they will work together with 12 BeiDou-3 satellites already in orbit.

The twin satellites will provide danger alerts and navigation services for global users. A basic system with 18 orbiting BeiDou-3 satellites will be in place by the end of the year, which will serve countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative.

The satellites and the rocket for Wednesday’s launch were developed by the China Academy of Space Technology and the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, respectively.

September 20, 2018
Another BeiDou launch adds to China’s constellation

China launched two more BeiDou satellites on Aug. 25. (Photo: CCTV)

China successfully sent twin BeiDou navigation satellites into space on Aug. 25, aboard a single carrier rocket, according to news reports. The satellites are numbers 35 and 36 in the BeiDou navigation constellation.

Only a few weeks ago, China launched another pair of BeiDou-3 navigation satellites.

The Long March-3B carrier rocket lifted off from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Southwest China’s Sichuan Province at 7:52 a.m. local time.

This was China’s 23rd orbital launch this year, surpassing the national record of 22 launches set in 2016. China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), the main contractor for the space program, is planning on 35 launches this year.

China launched two more BeiDou satellites on Aug. 25. (Photo: CCTV via Weibo)

August 30, 2018
Two more BeiDou-3 satellites launched for global coverage by 2020

China launched two more Beidou-3 satellites March 30, the seventh and eighth of the third phase of the Beidou system.

Launch via Long March 3B rocket took place at 01:56 Beijing time Friday (17:56 UTC Thursday) from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre, reports gbtimes.com.

The satellites join six others orbiting at 21,000 kilometers above the Earth. BeiDou-3 is designed to expand Beidou navigation, positioning and timing services from regional to global coverage by 2020.

The satellites were inserted into medium Earth orbits by a Yuanzheng-1 upper stage more than three hours after launch, with CASC, China’s main aerospace contractor, then confirming success.

The satellites were developed by the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), while the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) under CASC provided the Long March 3B launch vehicle.

A Long March rocket carries a pair of BeiDou-3 satellites to medium Earth orbit on March 30, 2018. (Photo: Liang Keyan/Xinhua)

March 30, 2018
China launches twin BeiDou-3 navigation satellites

China launched twin BeiDou-3 navigation satellites into space on Jan. 12 as part of efforts to enable its BeiDou system to provide navigation and positioning services to countries along the Belt and Road by the end of 2018, reports XinhuaNet.

China’s Belt and Road Initiative aims to create the world’s largest platform for economic cooperation.

The pair of satellites was launched at 7:18 a.m. local time aboard a Long March-3B carrier rocket from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China’s Sichuan Province. The twin satellites are coded the 26th and 27th satellites in the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System.

This is the first launch of the BeiDou satellites in 2018, which will see intensive launches throughout the year.

The twin satellites are coded MEO-7 and MEO-8, the 26th and 27th satellites in the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System.

January 15, 2018