At 19:55 on March 9,from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center,the Long March 3B carrier rocket liftedthe BeiDou-3 GEO-2 satellite straight into the sky.The satellite subsequently entered its preset orbit smoothly,marking a complete success of the launch mission!

▲ The Long March 3B carrier rocket ignites and soars into the sky.

At a critical moment when the whole nation is fighting againstthe COVID-19 pandemic,this is yet another inspiring achievementfrom China's aerospace industry!

The BeiDou-3 GEO-2 satellite,overall developed by the Fifth Academy ofChina Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC),is the 54th satellite of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite Systemand the 29th satellite of the BeiDou-3 constellation.As a geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) satellite,it is affectionately nicknamed the "Lucky Star".Among all BeiDou-3 satellites,it boasts the most comprehensive functions,the richest signal resources,the largest sizeand the longest service life.

▲ The Long March 3B carrier rocket is undergoing final assembly.

The satellite will cooperate with the first "Lucky Star"(BeiDou-3 GEO-1 satellite), launched on November 1, 2018,to jointly verify the new-system active positioning function of the BeiDou systemand kick off the comprehensive upgrade of its radio determination capability.

▲ Group photo of the BeiDou mission test team members

Following the successful launch of this mission,only one final GEO satellite remainsto complete the global networking of the BeiDou-3 Satellite Navigation and Positioning System.Set to be launched in May this year,it will finalize the constellation of 30 satellites,enabling China to complete the construction of its global navigation systemhalf a year ahead of schedule.

Source: Official WeChat Account of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation