Final BeiDou Core Constellation Launch Aboard

China has launched two BeiDou navigation satellites aboard a Long March 3B. The successful deployment of the two satellites this morning marked the completion of the core constellation of the BDS-3 navigation system.

The Long March 3B carrying the two BDS-3 satellites was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center at 07:22. After reaching orbit, both satellites drifted safely away from the rocket’s upper stage into a medium Earth orbit at an altitude of around 20,000 kilometers.

Video credit: CCTV
Thumbnail credit: CCTV