China’s GPS solution comes in the form of the Beidou-3 Navigation Satellite System. According to a report, China will launch its final two satellites to complete the system before June 2020. The total number of satellites will come up to 24 and will be an alternative to the popular US-owned GPS.
Beidou stands for “Big Dipper” and it’s a project that is currently in its third iteration. The first iteration of the system was decommissioned in 2012. Now, with the launch of the two satellites, Beidou will contain core and important technologies like high-performance indicators, new technology systems, high localization, mass production networking.
China is also planning to make further advancements with a smarter, more accessible and more integrated system by 2035. The country is focusing heavily on its space program to help with the development of multiple independent high-tech technologies such as 5G integration.
Gizchina News of the week
Commenting on the completion of the navigation system, Project director Ran ChengqiĀ said:
“As a major space infrastructure for China to provide public services to the world, the Beidou system will always adhere to the development concept of āChinaās Beidou, the worldās Beidou, and the first-class Beidou,ā serving the world and benefiting mankind.”
Worth noting that India is also developing an alternative for popular GPS. It’s called NAVIC system as part of the IRNSS program that has steadily been launching satellites since 2013. NAVIC comes to provide a high-accuracy position over India and its neighboring countries with its geostationary satellites.
