This morning, China launched the final member of its BeiDou satellite constellation, the third BeiDou Navigation Satellite (BDS-3). A live TV and online broadcast captured the satellite's successful deployment into orbit alongside BeiDou-1 and BeiDou-2.
China's new global navigation system began in the 1900s when it first launched the BeiDou Satellite Navigation Experimental System, or BeiDou-1, consisting of three satellites. Data gathered was mainly for China's navigational services and was decommissioned by 2012.
In 2011, COMPASS (BeiDou-2), was the second generation of the system and became operational as China launched 10 satellites. The following year, the BDS services expanded to the Asia-Pacific region.
In 2015, the BDS-3 was born, consisting of 30 satellites, launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in the Sichuan province. The last satellite was launched earlier today finally complete the system and can now compete with America's Global Positioning System (GPS), Russia's GLONASS, and Europe's Galileo systems.
Successful Launch
The successful launch at 9:43 a.m. Beijing time (9:43 pm EDT June 22) finally happened after the Long March 3B rocket had a technical glitch last week. Also, the company had difficulty finding an exact launch date due to the rainy season in the mountain area of Sichuan.
The BDS system is being used by more than 50% of the world and claims that it will reach millimeter-level accuracy. Compared to BDS-2, the third generation will have a 'higher bandwidth, enabling enhanced communication capability and carrying more accurate ... atomic clocks to improve the precision of timing and navigation services,' which was reported by a local paper.
GPS-enabled devices will transmit a signal picked up by device receivers. The satellite system's atomic clocks will provide the exact tie that information will be sent and received, as well as the satellite's position in the orbit. When a user receives information from four satellites, accurate information can then be used for navigation.
Pandemic Services
The BDS system has already helped China during the pandemic by helping navigate the rapid construction of two new specialist hospitals. Construction was sped up as BDS helped with high-precision lapping services, for the accurate layout of the buildings' foundations.
Drones guided by BeiDou were also launched to help deliver medical supplies, with fast and accurate service, while reducing human interaction. Other drones were also used to spray disinfectant in public places, which can cover an area of 5,000 square meters in a single flight.
During the live launch this morning, in an interview with Dr. Wang Tun, the director of the Institute of Care Life, he shared that the new system will be used for earthquake rescue missions. The satellites can pick up signals to measure the severity of the disaster, then send simultaneous seismic data from different areas back to Earth.
Traditionally, China announces a successful launch only after their satellites have deployed into orbit, making this the first time they've announced the event early and had a live show on TV and online with English subtitles. Their success today puts the final launch of the BDS system six months ahead of schedule.
