File photo of a model of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) Photo: Xinhua

China will carry out an in-orbit upgrade of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) in the near future to further improve service quality and optimize the operational status of some satellites, the Global Times learned from the China Satellite Navigation Office on Friday.

During the upgrade process, monitoring and maintenance of the system's in-orbit satellites will be strengthened through joint testing and coordination to ensure stable service performance and a smooth user experience.

The BDS, a mature global satellite navigation system with comprehensive functions and high performance, currently has 50 satellites operating in orbit. The accuracy of its space signal is better than two meters, while global positioning accuracy is better than 10 meters. 

The system also achieves a velocity measurement accuracy better than 0.2 meters per second and timing accuracy within 20 nanoseconds.

With the support of precise point positioning service signals, the system is capable of achieving horizontal positioning accuracy better than 0.3 meters and vertical accuracy better than 0.6 meters.

The BDS has been deeply integrated into China's economic and social development, providing high-precision positioning, navigation and timing services to a wide range of users and supporting both industrial development and people's daily life.


Global Times