China has launched the final pair of backup satellites for the BeiDou-3 Navigation Satellite System (BDS-3), marking a key milestone in its global satellite navigation ambitions. These two satellites, launched on a Long March-3B rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, are the 59th and 60th in the BeiDou satellite family. Positioned in medium Earth orbit, they are intended to enhance the system’s reliability, offering improved global services in positioning, navigation, timing, and short message communication.

With 30 operational networking satellites in orbit, BDS-3 now provides extensive services to global users. The system has been active for over six years, with most satellites having a 10-year lifespan. As such, plans for upgrading to a new deployment phase, BDS-4, are in place, with these newly launched satellites serving both as backup and as a platform for technical verification.

China has a three-step strategy for its BeiDou navigation system: initially serving domestic users, then expanding to the Asia-Pacific, and now providing global coverage. Since the completion of BDS-3 in 2020, China became the third country with an independent global navigation satellite system, following the U.S. (GPS) and Russia (GLONASS).

Looking ahead, China plans to enhance the BeiDou system further, aiming for an integrated and intelligent navigation system by 2035. This will include positioning services from indoor environments to deep space. By 2025, China aims to build a low-orbit constellation system to enable global centimeter-level positioning, addressing challenges in navigation signals, interference, and more advanced navigation scenarios like underwater and space environments.