Payload of Final BDS Satellite Starts Service

The payload of the last satellite of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS), which was launched on June 23, began service at the 110.5°E orbital position on June 30 after five orbital transfers and three acquisitions.

Its telemetry data shows that the payload devices including the space-borne frequency synthesizer, atomic clock, navigation processing unit and inter-satellite link are operating soundly, as is the signal reception on the ground.

The satellite plays a key role in navigation services like positioning and timing as well as satellite based augmentation, short message communication and precise point positioning.

Developed by the China Academy of Space Technology, a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), the final BDS satellite was sent into space on June 23 by a Long March-3B carrier rocket developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology of CASC.

Performance of the final satellite's operation will be assessed soon and other preparatory work of the BDS-3's systems will be carried on to guarantee everything is ready to enter service around the end of July.

(Executive editor: Wang Ruoting)