BeiDou-3 IGSO-3 navigation satellite successfully launched, "customized for China"

The 49th BeiDou navigation satellite was successfully launched into orbit by the Long March 3B carrier rocket at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center.

Subsequently, the satellite was sent into the predetermined orbit, the solar panels were smoothly deployed, and the launch was a complete success. The successful launch of the satellite marks the completion of the launch of all three inclined geosynchronous orbit satellites of the BeiDou-3 system, laying a solid foundation for the completion of the BeiDou-3 global network in 2020.

The IGSO orbit is truly BeiDou's "exclusive" orbit. Internationally, neither GPS nor GLONASS navigation systems have designed satellite deployments in this orbit.

Since the design position of the BeiDou-3 IGSO orbit is 118 degrees longitude, just above my country, it can be said to be truly "customized for China". It can effectively improve the service performance of the BeiDou global system in my country and its surrounding areas, as well as in the Arctic and Antarctic regions.

On November 5, 2017, the first BeiDou-3 satellite was successfully launched and put into orbit, ushering in a new era of global networking of the BeiDou system. In two years, the seven major systems of the BeiDou project, more than 300 participating research and construction units, and tens of thousands of scientific researchers have successfully completed 16 satellite launch missions, successfully sending 24 BeiDou-3 networking satellites and 2 BeiDou-2 backup satellites into the planned orbit.

At present, the construction of the Beidou-3 system has entered the final sprint stage. Six Beidou-3 networking satellites will be launched subsequently to fully build the Beidou global system.

The IGSO-3 satellite launched today uses the Dongfanghong 3B platform, has a design life of 12 years, and a takeoff weight of about 5,400 kilograms. After the satellite is put into the network, it will further enhance the coverage and service performance of the Beidou system.

The BeiDou navigation satellite and the supporting carrier rocket launched this time were respectively developed by the China Academy of Space Technology and the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, both of which are affiliated to the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. This is the 317th flight of the Long March series of carrier rockets.