BeiDou / navigation constellation
sourcing12 factsBeiDou is a global satellite navigation system operated by the China National Space Administration. The system has evolved through three generations: BeiDou-1, a regional experimental system decommissioned in December 2012; BeiDou-2, a regional system covering the Asia-Pacific from December 2012; and BeiDou-3, which reached full global coverage in July 2020. BeiDou-3 uses a mixed constellation of satellites in medium Earth orbit, inclined geosynchronous orbit, and geostationary orbit, offering a free civilian positioning service alongside an encrypted higher-accuracy service for authorized users.
generations
faq
Who operates BeiDou?
BeiDou is operated by China National Space Administration. (source, as of 2026-07-13)
When did BeiDou first launch?
BeiDou first launched on 2000-10-30. (source, as of 2026-07-13)
facts
orbit
events
timeline
- 20232023-12-26Most recent BeiDou satellite launch in the current catalog (source, as of 2026-07-13)
- 20202020-07BeiDou-3 declared fully operational with global coverage (source, as of 2026-07-13)
- 2020-06-23Final BeiDou-3 satellite launches, completing the constellation (source, as of 2026-07-13)
- 20122012-12BeiDou-2 begins regional Asia-Pacific navigation service (source, as of 2026-07-13)
- 20002000-10-30BeiDou-1A, the first BeiDou satellite, launches (source, as of 2026-07-13)