The 55th and last satellite of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) has commenced operation in the network after completing in-orbit tests and network access evaluations, according to a statement from China’s Satellite Navigation System Management Office Wednesday.

Launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center on June 23, the satellite is a geostationary earth orbit satellite of the BDS 3 system, which has been offering basic navigation services to countries and regions along the Belt and Road, as well as the world, since December 2018.

According to the office, the satellite will offer users positioning, navigation and timing services. It was developed by the China Academy of Space Technology.

Named after the Chinese term for the Big Dipper constellation, BeiDou is one of the four space-based navigation networks operating globally, along with the US GPS, Russia’s GLONASS and the European Union’s Galileo networks.

Source: Xinhua News Agency

Related Links

BeiDou Navigation Satellite System

GPS Applications, Technology and Suppliers

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook – our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don’t have a paywall – with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

Garmin says outage continues but user data ‘not affected’

Washington (AFP) July 25, 2020


Garmin Ltd said Saturday that client data from the company’s smartwatch and GPS services – offline since Thursday – has not been compromised, despite fears of a ransomware attack.

“Garmin has no indication that this outage has affected your data, including activity, payment or other personal information,” the company said on its website.

It added: “Although Garmin Connect is not accessible during the outage, activity and health and wellness data collected from Garmin devices during the outage … read more