BeiDou Navigation Satellite System completes in-orbit upgrade

The BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) has completed an in-orbit upgrade to provide higher-quality services, according to the China Satellite Navigation Office (CSNO). While ensuring stable operations, the BDS will develop new navigation technologies to provide more reliable positioning, navigation, and timing services for global users, the CSNO stated. As a mature, fully functional, and high-performance global satellite navigation system, the BDS currently has 50 operational satellites in orbit. The system offers global positioning accuracy of better than 10 metres, velocity measurement accuracy of better than 0.2 metres per second, and timing accuracy within 20 nanoseconds. Through the Precise Point Positioning (PPP) service signal, the BDS can achieve horizontal positioning accuracy of better than 0.3 metres and vertical accuracy of better than 0.6 metres. According to previous reports, the upgrade included adjustments made to optimise the operational status of specific satellites.