A Chinese Long March 3B rocket with a Yuanzheng-1 upper stage will lift a pair of Beidou-3 navigation satellites into a 21,500-Kilometer Medium Earth Orbit to join the Compass Navigation Satellite System to support its fully operational capability by the end of the decade. Beidou-3 comprises satellites in Geostationary Orbit, inclined Geosynchronous Orbits and Medium Earth Orbits to provide global coverage and compatibility with China’s previous two navigation system generations.

This is the fifth dual-launch in support of the Beidou-3 MEO generation, involving two CAST-built satellites. It is the third Beidou-3 mission in 2018, expected to become the constellation’s busiest year to date with up to 18 Beidou satellites headed into orbit to bring the constellation to initial operational strength.

Mission Resources:

? Launch Vehicle Overview: Long March 3B

? Payload Overview: Beidou-3 Satellite Navigation System

☂ Launch Weather

? Launch Site Schedule