Overview: China's major space programs in 2020
3. Beidou navigation satellite system
China will possibly launch all BeiDou 3 satellites to complete the global network of its BeiDou Navigation Satellite System into space by the end of June, about half a year ahead of schedule.
China started to build the BDS 3 system in 2009, and planned to complete construction by the end of 2020, with intensive launch missions.
China has deployed three systems, BDS 1, BDS 2 and BDS 3, to provide accurate positioning and navigation services to the world.
The BDS system, independently constructed and operated by China, currently has 38 in-orbit satellites including 18 BDS 2 and 20 BDS 3.
As a space infrastructure of national significance, the BDS provides all-time, all-weather and high-accuracy positioning, navigation and timing services to global users, according to a white paper on the system.
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