BeiDou Navigation Satellite System logo.
Nov. 23, 2019
Long March-3B launches two BeiDou-3 satellites
A Long March-3B launch vehicle, with an Yuanzheng-1 (Expedition-1) upper stage, launched two new BeiDou-3 navigation satellites from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, Sichuan Province, southwest China, on 23 November 2019, at 00:55 UTC (08:55 local time).
Long March-3B launches two BeiDou-3 satellites
The satellites are the 50th and 51st satellites in the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS).
The MEO satellites are the Medium Earth Orbit component of the third phase of the Chinese Beidou (Compass) satellite navigation system. The satellites are part of a fleet that will expand the system into global navigation coverage.
Artist's view of a BeiDou-3 satellite by J. Huart
The satellites are using a bus that features a phased array antenna for navigation signals and a laser retroreflector, with a launch mass 1,014 kg. Spacecraft dimensions are noted to be 2.25 by 1.0 by 1.22 meters. Usually, the satellites reside in a 21,500 – 21,400 km nominal orbit at 55.5 degrees.
Beidou navigation satellites constellation
The satellites are equipped with lightweight hydrogen maser clocks, which will serve as a more stable precision frequency reference to make the satellite navigation system work more accurately.
For more information about Beidou navigation system: http://www.beidou.gov.cn/
For more information about China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC): http://english.spacechina.com/n16421/index.html
Images, Video, Text, Credits: CASC/China Central Television (CCTV)/SciNews/Orbiter.ch Aerospace/Roland Berga.
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