Navigation
BEIDOU-3 M2
Chinese Navigation Satellite (BeiDou-3, Founding Satellite) · CNSA / China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
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BeiDou-3 M2, launched alongside BeiDou-3 M1 in November 2017, is one of the founding pair of satellites for China's global BeiDou-3 navigation system. China completed the entire 30-satellite BeiDou-3 constellation by June 2020 — a remarkably fast deployment pace compared to how long GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo each took to reach full global strength, reflecting China's determined, well-funded push to achieve complete navigation independence.
Its orbit
- Orbit
- Medium Earth Orbita high vantage point, ideal for navigation
- Altitude
- 13,371–13,392 mi (21,519–21,552 km)
- Inclination
- 56.8°
- One orbit
- 12.9 hours1.9 orbits a day
- NORAD ID
- 43002
- Int’l designator
- 2017-069B
- Launched
- 2017
Orbital elements from CelesTrak, as of 22 Sep 2026.
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