COMPASS/BeiDou
Jump to: Mission Objectives, Mission Instrumentation, Mission Parameters, Additional Information
Mission Photos:
COMPASS (Courtesy of Shanghai Astronomical Observatory)
Mission Objectives:
The Compass Navigation Satellite Experimental System is a satellite constellation developed by the Chinese Defense Ministry. The system, also known as BeiDou, is the first space-based regional navigation and positioning network developed by China. COMPASS provides all-weather, two-dimensional positioning data for both military and civilian users. The system has both navigation and communication capabilities and spans most areas of the East Asia region. The satellite network consists of four BeiDou-1 satellites launched in 2000, 2003, and 2007 in geostationary orbit; a fifth satellite, COMPASS-M1, was launched in MEO in April 2007. Additional satellites in the COMPASS constellation have been launched in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2015. In 2023, 20 more BeiDou-3M series satellites were added.
BeiDou/COMPASS Mission Parameters:
| |
COMPASS-M1 |
COMPASS-M3 |
COMPASS-MS1 |
COMPASS-MS2 |
COMPASS-MS3 |
| Sponsor: |
Chinese Defense Ministry |
Chinese Defense Ministry |
Chinese Defense Ministry |
Chinese Defense Ministry |
Chinese Defense Ministry |
| Expected Life: |
3 years |
3 years |
3 years |
3 years |
3 years |
| Primary Applications: |
Positioning |
Positioning |
Positioning |
Positioning |
Positioning |
| Primary SLR Application: |
Precision orbit determination |
Precision orbit determination |
Precision orbit determination |
Precision orbit determination |
Precision orbit determination |
| Launch Date: |
13-Apr-2007 |
29-Apr-2012 |
25-Jul-2015 |
25-Jul-2015 |
01-Feb-2016 |
| COSPAR ID: |
0701101 |
1201801 |
1503702 |
1503701 |
1600601 |
| SIC: |
2001 |
2004 |
2007 |
2008 |
2011 |
| NORAD: |
31115 |
38250 |
40749 |
40748 |
41315 |
| PRN: |
C30 |
C11 |
|
|
|
| NP Bin Size: |
300 seconds |
300 seconds |
300 seconds |
300 seconds |
300 seconds |
| RRA Diameter: |
|
|
|
|
|
| RRA Shape: |
Hexagonal |
Hexagonal |
Hexagonal |
Hexagonal |
Hexagonal |
| Reflectors: |
42 corner cubes |
42 corner cubes |
42 corner cubes |
42 corner cubes |
42 corner cubes |
| Orbit: |
MEO |
MEO |
MEO |
MEO |
MEO |
| Inclination: |
55.5 degrees |
55.0 degrees |
55 |
55 |
55 |
| Eccentricity: |
0.00068 |
0.0025 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Perigee: |
21,500 km |
21,500 km |
21,500 km |
21,500 km |
21,500 km |
| Period: |
773.39 min |
773.39 min |
773.39 min |
773.39 min |
773.39 min |
| Mass: |
2,200 kg |
|
|
|
|
| |
COMPASS-I3 |
COMPASS-I4 |
COMPASS-I5 |
COMPASS-I6B |
COMPASS-IS1 |
| Sponsor: |
Chinese Defense Ministry |
Chinese Defense Ministry |
Chinese Defense Ministry |
Chinese Defense Ministry |
Chinese Defense Ministry |
| Expected Life: |
3 years |
3 years |
3 years |
3 years |
3 years |
| Primary Applications: |
Positioning |
Positioning |
Positioning |
Positioning |
Positioning |
| Primary SLR Application: |
Precision orbit determination |
Precision orbit determination |
Precision orbit determination |
Precision orbit determination |
Precision orbit determination |
| Launch Date: |
10-Apr-2011 |
27-July-2011 |
01-Dec-2011 |
29-Mar-2016 |
30-Mar-2015 |
| COSPAR ID: |
1101301 |
1103801 |
1107301 |
1602101 |
1501901 |
| SIC: |
2003 |
2009 |
2005 |
2012 |
2006 |
| NORAD: |
37384 |
37763 |
37948 |
41434 |
40549 |
| PRN: |
|
|
|
|
C06 |
| NP Bin Size: |
300 seconds |
300 seconds |
300 seconds |
300 seconds |
300 seconds |
| RRA Diameter: |
|
|
|
|
|
| RRA Shape: |
Hexagonal |
Hexagonal |
Hexagonal |
Hexagonal |
Hexagonal |
| Reflectors: |
90 corner cubes |
90 corner cubes |
90 corner cubes |
90 corner cubes |
90 corner cubes |
| Orbit: |
GEO |
GEO |
GEO |
GEO |
GEO |
| Inclination: |
55.6 degrees |
55.6 degrees |
55.6 degrees |
55.6 degrees |
55.6 degrees |
| Eccentricity: |
0.0023 |
0.0023 |
0.0023 |
0.0023 |
0.0023 |
| Perigee: |
37,790.2 km |
35,790 km |
37,790.2 km |
35,677 km |
37,790.2 km |
| Period: |
1436 min |
1436 min |
1436 min |
1436 min |
1436 min |
| Mass: |
2,200 kg |
|
2,200 kg |
2,200 kg |
2,200 kg |
|
| COMPASS-IS2 |
COMPASS-G1 |
COMPASS-G8 |
| Sponsor: |
Chinese Defense Ministry |
Chinese Defense Ministry |
Chinese Defense Ministry |
| Expected Life: |
3 years |
3 years |
10 years |
| Primary Applications: |
Positioning |
Positioning |
Positioning |
| Primary SLR Application: |
Precision orbit determination |
Precision orbit determination |
Precision orbit determination |
| Launch Date: |
29-Sep-2015 |
17-Jan-2010 |
17-May-2019 |
| COSPAR ID: |
1505301 |
1000101 |
1902701 |
| SIC: |
2010 |
2002 |
2037 |
| NORAD: |
40938 |
36287 |
44231 |
| PRN: |
C07 |
C01 |
C01 |
| NP Bin Size: |
300 seconds |
300 seconds |
300 seconds |
| RRA Diameter: |
|
|
|
| RRA Shape: |
Hexagonal |
Hexagonal |
Hexagonal |
| Reflectors: |
90 corner cubes |
90 corner cubes |
90 corner cubes |
| Orbit: |
GEO |
GEO |
GEO |
| Inclination: |
55.6 degrees |
1.53 degrees |
1.59 degrees |
| Eccentricity: |
0.0023 |
0.00018 |
0.00092 |
| Perigee: |
37,790.2 km |
35,792.9 km |
35,769 km |
| Period: |
1436 min |
1,436 min |
1,436 min |
| Mass: |
2,200 kg |
1,500.0 kg |
1,500.0 kg |
|
| BeiDou-3M1 |
BeiDou-3M2 |
BeiDou-3M3 |
BeiDou-3M4 |
| Sponsor: |
China Satellite Navigation Engineering Center |
China Satellite Navigation Engineering Center |
China Satellite Navigation Engineering Center |
China Satellite Navigation Engineering Center |
| Expected Life: |
8 years |
8 years |
8 years |
8 years |
| Primary Applications: |
Positioning |
Positioning |
Positioning |
Positioning |
| Primary SLR Application: |
Precision orbit determination |
Precision orbit determination |
Precision orbit determination |
Precision orbit determination |
| Launch Date: |
05-Nov-2017 |
05-Nov-2017 |
12-Feb-2018 |
12-Feb-2018 |
| COSPAR ID: |
1706901 |
1706902 |
1801802 |
1801801 |
| SIC: |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
| NORAD: |
43001 |
43002 |
43208 |
43207 |
| PRN: |
C19 |
C20 |
C21 |
C22 |
| NP Bin Size: |
300 seconds |
300 seconds |
300 seconds |
300 seconds |
| RRA Diameter: |
|
|
|
|
| RRA Shape: |
Planar |
Planar |
Planar |
Planar |
| Reflectors: |
42 corner cubes |
42 corner cubes |
42 corner cubes |
42 corner cubes |
| Orbit: |
MEO |
MEO |
|
|
| Inclination: |
55 degrees |
55 degrees |
55 degrees |
55 degrees |
| Eccentricity: |
0.0012 |
0.0012 |
0.0000945 |
0.0000945 |
| Perigee: |
21,500 km |
21,500 km |
21,500 km |
21,500 km |
| Period: |
773 min |
773 min |
773 min |
773 min |
| Mass: |
943.0 kg |
942.0 kg |
1018.0 kg |
1014.4 kg |
|
| BeiDou-3M5 |
BeiDou-3M6 |
BeiDou-3M7 |
BeiDou-3M8 |
| Sponsor: |
China Satellite Navigation Engineering Center |
China Satellite Navigation Engineering Center |
China Satellite Navigation Engineering Center |
China Satellite Navigation Engineering Center |
| Expected Life: |
8 years |
8 years |
8 years |
8 years |
| Primary Applications: |
Positioning |
Positioning |
Positioning |
Positioning |
| Primary SLR Application: |
Precision orbit determination |
Precision orbit determination |
Precision orbit determination |
Precision orbit determination |
| Launch Date: |
12-Feb-2018 |
12-Feb-2018 |
29-Mar-2018 |
29-Mar-2018 |
| COSPAR ID: |
1806201 |
1806202 |
1800301 |
1800302 |
| SIC: |
2017 |
2018 |
2021 |
2022 |
| NORAD: |
43581 |
43582 |
43107 |
43108 |
| PRN: |
C23 |
C24 |
C27 |
C28 |
| NP Bin Size: |
300 seconds |
300 seconds |
300 seconds |
300 seconds |
| RRA Diameter: |
|
|
|
|
| RRA Shape: |
Planar |
Planar |
Planar |
Planar |
| Reflectors: |
42 corner cubes |
42 corner cubes |
42 corner cubes |
42 corner cubes |
| Orbit: |
MEO |
MEO |
|
|
| Inclination: |
55 degrees |
55 degrees |
55 degrees |
55 degrees |
| Eccentricity: |
0.0012 |
0.0012 |
0.0000945 |
0.0000945 |
| Perigee: |
21,500 km |
21,500 km |
21,500 km |
21,500 km |
| Period: |
773 min |
773 min |
773 min |
773 min |
| Mass: |
941.0 kg |
942.0 kg |
1010.4 kg |
1008.6 kg |
|
| BeiDou-3M9 |
BeiDou-3M10 |
BeiDou-3M11 |
BeiDou-3M12 |
| Sponsor: |
China Satellite Navigation Engineering Center |
China Satellite Navigation Engineering Center |
China Satellite Navigation Engineering Center |
China Satellite Navigation Engineering Center |
| Expected Life: |
3 years |
3 years |
3 years |
3 years |
| Primary Applications: |
Positioning |
Positioning |
Positioning |
Positioning |
| Primary SLR Application: |
Precision orbit determination |
Precision orbit determination |
Precision orbit determination |
Precision orbit determination |
| Launch Date: |
29-Jul-2018 |
29-Jul-2018 |
24-Aug-2018 |
24-Aug-2018 |
| COSPAR ID: |
1802901 |
1802902 |
1806702 |
1806701 |
| SIC: |
2019 |
2020 |
2023 |
2024 |
| NORAD: |
43245 |
43246 |
43603 |
43602 |
| PRN: |
C29 |
C30 |
C25 |
C26 |
| NP Bin Size: |
300 seconds |
300 seconds |
300 seconds |
300 seconds |
| RRA Diameter: |
42 corner cubes |
42 corner cubes |
42 corner cubes |
42 corner cubes |
| RRA Shape: |
Planar |
Planar |
Planar |
Planar |
| Reflectors: |
42 corner cubes |
42 corner cubes |
42 corner cubes |
42 corner cubes |
| Orbit: |
MEO |
MEO |
MEO |
MEO |
| Inclination: |
55 degrees |
55 degrees |
55 degrees |
55 degrees |
| Eccentricity: |
0.0004554 |
0.0004554 |
0.0004554 |
0.0004554 |
| Perigee: |
21,500 km |
21,500 km |
21,500 km |
21,500 km |
| Period: |
773 min |
773 min |
773 min |
773 min |
| Mass: |
945.0 kg |
946.0 kg |
1041.8 kg |
1043.3 kg |
|
| BeiDou-3M13 |
BeiDou-3M14 |
BeiDou-3M15 |
BeiDou-3M16 |
| Sponsor: |
China Satellite Navigation Engineering Center |
China Satellite Navigation Engineering Center |
China Satellite Navigation Engineering Center |
China Satellite Navigation Engineering Center |
| Expected Life: |
3 years |
3 years |
3 years |
3 years |
| Primary Applications: |
Positioning |
Positioning |
Positioning |
Positioning |
| Primary SLR Application: |
Precision orbit determination |
Precision orbit determination |
Precision orbit determination |
Precision orbit determination |
| Launch Date: |
19-Sep-2018 |
19-Sep-2018 |
15-Oct-2018 |
15-Oct-2018 |
| COSPAR ID: |
1807201 |
1807202 |
1807802 |
1807801 |
| SIC: |
2025 |
2026 |
2027 |
2028 |
| NORAD: |
43622 |
43623 |
43648 |
43647 |
| PRN: |
C32 |
C33 |
C34 |
C35 |
| NP Bin Size: |
300 seconds |
300 seconds |
300 seconds |
300 seconds |
| RRA Diameter: |
42 corner cubes |
42 corner cubes |
42 corner cubes |
42 corner cubes |
| RRA Shape: |
Planar |
Planar |
Planar |
Planar |
| Reflectors: |
42 corner cubes |
42 corner cubes |
42 corner cubes |
42 corner cubes |
| Orbit: |
MEO |
MEO |
MEO |
MEO |
| Inclination: |
55 degrees |
55 degrees |
55 degrees |
55 degrees |
| Eccentricity: |
0.0004554 |
0.0004554 |
0.0004554 |
0.0004554 |
| Perigee: |
21,500 km |
21,500 km |
21,500 km |
21,500 km |
| Period: |
773 min |
773 min |
773 min |
773 min |
| Mass: |
1007.0 kg |
1007.0 kg |
1045.0 kg |
1046.6 kg |
|
| BeiDou-3M17 |
BeiDou-3M18 |
BeiDou-3M19 |
BeiDou-3M20 |
| Sponsor: |
China Satellite Navigation Engineering Center |
China Satellite Navigation Engineering Center |
China Satellite Navigation Engineering Center |
China Satellite Navigation Engineering Center |
| Expected Life: |
3 years |
3 years |
3 years |
3 years |
| Primary Applications: |
Positioning |
Positioning |
Positioning |
Positioning |
| Primary SLR Application: |
Precision orbit determination |
Precision orbit determination |
Precision orbit determination |
Precision orbit determination |
| Launch Date: |
18-Nov-2018 |
18-Nov-2018 |
16-Dec-2018 |
16-Dec-2018 |
| COSPAR ID: |
1809301 |
1809302 |
1909001 |
1909002 |
| SIC: |
2029 |
2030 |
2031 |
2032 |
| NORAD: |
43706 |
43707 |
44864 |
44865 |
| PRN: |
C36 |
C37 |
C41 |
C42 |
| NP Bin Size: |
300 seconds |
300 seconds |
300 seconds |
300 seconds |
| RRA Diameter: |
42 corner cubes |
42 corner cubes |
42 corner cubes |
42 corner cubes |
| RRA Shape: |
Planar |
Planar |
Planar |
Planar |
| Reflectors: |
42 corner cubes |
42 corner cubes |
42 corner cubes |
42 corner cubes |
| Orbit: |
MEO |
MEO |
MEO |
MEO |
| Inclination: |
55 degrees |
55 degrees |
55 degrees |
55 degrees |
| Eccentricity: |
0.0004554 |
0.0004554 |
0.0004554 |
0.0004554 |
| Perigee: |
21,500 km |
21,500 km |
21,500 km |
21,500 km |
| Period: |
773 min |
773 min |
773 min |
773 min |
| Mass: |
1061.0 kg |
1061.0 kg |
1059.0 kg |
1059.0 kg |
|
| BeiDou-3M21 |
BeiDou-3M22 |
BeiDou-3M23 |
BeiDou-3M24 |
| Sponsor: |
China Satellite Navigation Engineering Center |
China Satellite Navigation Engineering Center |
China Satellite Navigation Engineering Center |
China Satellite Navigation Engineering Center |
| Expected Life: |
3 years |
3 years |
3 years |
3 years |
| Primary Applications: |
Positioning |
Positioning |
Positioning |
Positioning |
| Primary SLR Application: |
Precision orbit determination |
Precision orbit determination |
Precision orbit determination |
Precision orbit determination |
| Launch Date: |
23-Nov-2019 |
23-Nov-2019 |
22-Sep-2019 |
22-Sep-2019 |
| COSPAR ID: |
1907802 |
1907801 |
1906102 |
1906101 |
| SIC: |
2033 |
2034 |
2035 |
2036 |
| NORAD: |
44794 |
44793 |
44543 |
44542 |
| PRN: |
C43 |
C44 |
C45 |
C46 |
| NP Bin Size: |
300 seconds |
300 seconds |
300 seconds |
300 seconds |
| RRA Diameter: |
42 corner cubes |
42 corner cubes |
42 corner cubes |
42 corner cubes |
| RRA Shape: |
Planar |
Planar |
Planar |
Planar |
| Reflectors: |
42 corner cubes |
42 corner cubes |
42 corner cubes |
42 corner cubes |
| Orbit: |
MEO |
MEO |
MEO |
MEO |
| Inclination: |
55 degrees |
55 degrees |
55 degrees |
55 degrees |
| Eccentricity: |
0.0004554 |
0.0004554 |
0.0004554 |
0.0004554 |
| Perigee: |
21,500 km |
21,500 km |
21,500 km |
21,500 km |
| Period: |
773 min |
773 min |
773 min |
773 min |
| Mass: |
1075.4 kg |
1078.8 kg |
1058.0 kg |
1059.0 kg |
Additional Information:
Web sites:
Satellite Metadata:
Publications:
- Chen G., Guo J., Gent T. and Zhao QL. (2023). “Multi-GNSS orbit combination at Wuhan University: strategy and preliminary products”, J. Geodesy, 97(5), doi: 10.1007/s00190-023-01732-2
- Defraigne P., Pinat E., Petit G., Meynadier (2023). “Monitoring the offset between UTC and its prediction broadcast by the GNSS”, Metrologia, 60(6), doi: 10.1088/1681-7575/ad0562
- Gao F., Li XX, Zhang XH, Wang JL (2017). “Assessment of precise orbit and clock products for Galileo, BeiDou, and QZSS from IGS Multi-GNSS Experiment (MGEX)”, GPS Solutions, 21(1), 279-250, doi: 10.1007/s10291-016-0523-3
- Guo J., Wang C., Chen G. et al. (2023). “BDS-3 precise orbit and clock solution at Wuhan University: status and improvement”, J. Geodesy, 97(2) 15, doi: 10.1007/s00190-023-01705-5
- Han C., Yang Y. Cai Z. (2011). “BeiDou Navigation Satellite System and its time scales”, Metrologia, 48(4, S213), doi: 10.1088/0026-1394/48/4/S13
- Kawate K., Igarashi Y., Yamada H. et al. (2023). “MADOCA: Japanese precise orbit and clock determination for GNSS”, Adv. Space Res., 71(10), 3927–3950, doi: 10.1016/j.asr.2023.01.060
- Li XX, Yuan YQ, Zhu YT et al. (2020). “Improving BDS-3 precise orbit determination for medium earth satellites”, GPS Solutions, 24(2), doi: 10.1007/s10291-020-0967-3
- Li XX, Liu CB, Yuan YQ, Zhang KK (2023). “Current status and challenges of BDS satellite precise orbit products: From a view of independent SLR validation”, Remote Sensing, 15(11), doi: 10.3390/rs15112782
- Montenbruck O., Steigenberger P., Prange L. et al. (2017). “The Multi-GNSS Experiment (MGEX) of the International GNSS Service (IGS) – Achievements, prospects and challenges, Adv. Space Res., 59(7), 1671–1697, doi: 10.1016/j.asr.2017.01.011
- Sośnica K., Zajdel R., Bury G. et al. (2020). “Quality assessment of experimental IGS multi-GNSS combined orbits”, GPS Solutions, 24(2), doi: 10.1007/s10291-020-0965-5
- Yang Y., Tang J., Montenbruck O. (2017). “Chinese Navigation Satellite Systems”. In: Teunissen, P.J., Montenbruck, O. (eds) Springer Handbook of Global Navigation Satellite Systems. Springer Handbooks. Springer, Cham. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-42928-1_10
- Zajdel R, Nowak A., Sośnica K. (2024). “Satellite laser ranging to BeiDou-3 satellites: initial performance and contribution to orbit model improvement”, GPS Solutions, 28(3), doi: 10.1007/s10291-024-01638-2
- Zhang ZP., Zhang HF., Chen WZ et al. (2014). “Design and performances of laser retro-reflector arrays for Beidou navigation satellites and SLR observations”, Adv. Space Res., 54(5), 811–817, doi: 10.1016/j.asr.2013.12.025
