BDS-3 System in Stable, Rapid Development

The China Satellite Navigation Office has announced that the 30-satellite BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS-3) has entered a new stage of sustained stable service and rapid development after actual measurement of the global continuous monitoring and evaluation system.

The system has been playing a key role in providing high-quality service for global users since it started service on July 31, 2020. The system has been continuously optimized and its application mode improved while guaranteeing 24/7 stable operation.

New satellites are scheduled to be launched to enhance stability and reliability of the system and carry out new technology experiments and verification, which will ensure continuous upgrading of the system.

An illustration of the BDS-3 system [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]

In recent years, the system has shown its role in driving economic and social development. With its expanding application, it has entered a key phase of large-scale application and industrialized and global development. 

The office said that many industries, departments and provinces and municipalities have included BDS application into their development plans during the nation's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period.

At present, it has been used in various industries such as transportation, disaster prevention and mitigation, agriculture, forestry, husbandry, fishery and power and communication infrastructure.

In addition, the BDS-3 system also gained achievements in international cooperation. For example, China and Russia reached agreements on interoperability and the two country's satellite navigation cooperation blueprint in 2021. Deepened cooperation of the BDS is also promoted between China and Africa and Arab States.

China is now making progress in facilitating a national comprehensive PNT system centered on the BDS system of next generation, which is planned to be completed by 2035.

Once completed, China will have a more widely used, integrated and intelligent national comprehensive PNT system. By then, the BDS system will support full-coverage and highly reliable PNT services for global users.

The BDS satellites were mainly developed by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), who also developed the Long March 3A carrier rockets used for the BDS satellites' launch. CASC's subsidiaries were also involved in the development of other sub-systems of the project.

A BeiDou satellite is to be sent into space by a Long March 3B carrier rocket. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]

(Executive editor: Niu Yilin)