Photo: Xinhua News Agency
The 45th satellite of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System — launched on May 17, 2019 — has started operation in the network after completing in-orbit tests, reports China’s Xinhua news service.
The satellite will provide services in place of the third BeiDou satellite, a geostationary earth orbit satellite of the BDS-2 system, according to China’s Satellite Navigation System Management Office.
The replacement will help reinforce the BDS-2 system and support a smooth transition from the BDS-2 system to the BDS-3 system. The third satellite — launched Jan. 17, 2010 — will stay in orbit after the replacement.