China Successfully Launched Twin Navigation Satellites 'BeiDou-3MEO'

China Successfully Launched Twin Navigation Satellites 'BeiDou-3MEO'- Details, Features, Purpose

China has successfully launched a pair of twin BeiDou-3MEO satellites namely BeiDou-30 and BeiDou-31 into space as part of its third and final stage of launching on 30th March 2018 to boost its domestic BeiDou (Compass) Satellite Navigation System (BDS).

China’s twin satellites ‘BeiDou-3MEO’ was launched on board with a single rocket named ‘Long March-3B carrier rocket’ from Xichang Satellite Launch Center at 1:56 am, in southwest China’s Sichuan Province.

China’s twin satellites are MEO satellites i.e. Medium Earth Orbit component of the third phase of BeiDou satellite navigation system.

China’s twin satellites launched will serve countries along the ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) by the end of the year 2018.By around 2020, when the BDS goes global, it is believed to have more than 30 satellites.

The BRI, earlier known as 'One Belt, One Road', fosters to build rail, maritime and road links from Asia to Europe and Africa in a revival of the ancient Silk Road trading routes.

China’s twin satellites are aimed to work together with six previously launched BeiDou-3 satellites once they pass series of tests.

China’s twin satellites ‘BeiDou-30’ and ‘BeiDou-31’were developed by the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites at Chinese Academy of Sciences and China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology simultaneously.

BeiDou Navigation System

BeiDou is the second generation of Chinese developed navigational system seen as a rival to US’s Global Positioning System (GPS).

It was named after Chinese term for plow or the Big Dipper constellation. It comprises of the constellation of total 35 satellites including 27 MEO (21,500 km orbits) satellites, 3 IGSO satellites and 5 GSO satellites.

The first BeiDou satellite was sent into space in 2000. The system became operational in December 2011, with the constellation of 10 satellites providing services in China only. In December 2012, it began offering services to customers in Asia-Pacific region.