Navigation
BEIDOU-3 M13
Chinese Navigation Satellite (BeiDou-3) · CNSA / China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
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BeiDou-3 M13, launched in 2018, is part of the final major wave of BeiDou-3 satellites reaching orbit as China closed in on full global constellation completion. The system's short-message satellite texting feature — unique among the major global navigation constellations — has been specifically credited by Chinese state media with helping stranded fishing crews and disaster survivors communicate when every other network was down.
Its orbit
- Orbit
- Medium Earth Orbita high vantage point, ideal for navigation
- Altitude
- 13,374–13,388 mi (21,524–21,546 km)
- Inclination
- 56.7°
- One orbit
- 12.9 hours1.9 orbits a day
- NORAD ID
- 43622
- Int’l designator
- 2018-072A
- Launched
- 2018
Orbital elements from CelesTrak, as of 22 Sep 2026.
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