The China Satellite Navigation Office (CSNO) recently announced plans for the future of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS), which will include advanced technologies and improved services.
The plan involves launching three pilot test satellites around 2027 and completing the system by 2035. This announcement was made at a symposium in Beijing celebrating the 30th anniversary of the BeiDou project, which garnered an attendance of 100 participants.
The new plan outlines the development of China's satellite navigation network, which aims to create a more advanced, robust, and user-friendly next-generation BDS. Key technological breakthroughs are expected by 2025, with three pilot satellites launching in 2027 to test new technologies. By 2029, the deployment of the system's network satellites will begin, with full completion expected by 2035. The next-generation BDS will offer global users real-time, high-precision, and reliable navigation, positioning, and timing services with accuracy ranging from meter-level to decimeter-level.
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LEO Integration
The system will cater to various user terminals on Earth and in space, integrating with other navigation and timing technologies. The new system will optimize the constellation architecture and establish an efficient ground system for continuous operations. China is also exploring emerging technologies like low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to enhance the BDS system. By integrating LEO satellites with the existing medium Earth orbit (MEO) and high Earth orbit (HEO) satellites, the system will offer faster positioning speeds and better accuracy.
China has expanded its international cooperation by signing BDS agreements with countries like Russia, Pakistan, Belarus, and Arab nations. BDS products are now exported to over 140 countries and integrated into international standards for civil aviation, maritime, and mobile communications. The BDS system stands out for its comprehensive services, including high-precision timing, satellite-based augmentation, and short message communication services. It is recognized for its positioning accuracy and reliability, comparable to the U.S. GPS system.
BDS applications are rapidly growing in key sectors of China's economy, with coverage rates exceeding 90% in areas like transportation, energy, natural resources, and emergency response. Industry experts see vast potential in BDS applications, anticipating future integration with advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI).
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