In June, China's last satellite of its BeiDou Navigation Satellite System(BDS) was launched into orbit, marking the completion of the whole system.
In ancient China, people used the Big Dipper, is known in Chinese as "beidou qixing", to navigate.China's navigation satellite system (name)after "Beidou", which carries the meaning of "pointing out the right direction". China started constructing the BeiDou Navigation Satellite Experimental System(BDS-1) back in 1994, and now it consists of 55 satellites and can provide services worldwide.
(compare) with other satellite navigation systems, the BDS operates more satellites in high orbit, and transmits navigation signals at more frequencies.These features enable better more accurate services.Apart navigation, the BDS also provides diverse services, such as short message communication, and free international search and rescue (assist). The BDS has been applied in transportation, agriculture and other traditional fields.
As open system featuring shared benefits, the BDS has been seeking to serve a (wide) range of countries and international organizations. BDS-related (product), as is reported, are now being used in more than 120 countries and regions.Projects based on the BDS for precision farming, smart port construction and digital construction have been carried out in many countries across Asia, Europe and Africa.China is also (active) communicating with Russia and European countries (improve) the compatibility of the BDS so that it can better serve its global users.
