Demystifying the Big Dipper "Big Star": Large size, clever layout and more stunts to protect homes

China News Agency, Beijing, March 9th, title: Demystifying the Big Dipper "Big Star": Large size and smart layout to protect homes

Guo Chaokai Pan Chen

On the evening of March 9, China's 54th Beidou Navigation Satellite was successfully launched at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. This satellite "settles" in high-orbit heaven, meaning that China is only one step away from the deployment of the "Big Chess Game" of Beidou Global Network.

Smart body layout

The Beidou-3 satellite navigation system includes 3 inclined geosynchronous orbit (IGSO) satellites, 24 medium circular earth orbit (MEO) satellites, and 3 geosynchronous orbit (GEO) satellites. This type of mixed orbit constellation is unique to the Beidou system and is an international initiative, which can effectively increase the number of satellites visible in the Asia-Pacific region.

The satellite launched this time was developed by the China Space Technology Research Institute, a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, and is the second geosynchronous orbit (GEO) satellite of the Beidou-3 satellite navigation system.

"Jixing" has the most functions, the most signals, the largest size and the longest life in the Beidou-3 satellite navigation system, and has broad application prospects. The satellite platform used by the satellite is the Dongfanghong III B (navigation) satellite platform developed by the China Academy of Space Technology, and it is also one of China's larger active satellite platforms.

During the entire star assembly and testing process, the satellite team solved one by one a series of difficult problems such as multiple assembly states, multiple test items, and technical difficulties. Because there are many "Jixing" antennas and many types of RF signals, this poses a great challenge to electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). Facing the problem, "Jixing's team gathers intelligence and solves electromagnetic compatibility problems at a high level, making Jixing a satellite with the highest level of 'navigation and communication integration'," said Liu Tianxiong, deputy chief designer of Beidou III satellite.

In addition, Dongfanghongsan B (navigation) satellite platform used by Jixing can also load more fuel. "Sufficient fuel can ensure that the satellite" sits in a stable orbit, "said Chen Zhonggui, chief designer of Beidou-3 satellite. Through a series of measures, the design life of the" Jixing "satellite also hit a new high for China's navigation satellites.

At 19:55 on March 9, Beijing time, China successfully launched the 54th navigation satellite of the Beidou system at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center using the Long March IIIB launch vehicle. Photo by Guo Wenbin

More Stunts to Protect Your Home

As the saying goes, "One trick is fresh, you can eat all over the sky", but "Ji Xing" does not believe this, but has practiced many tricks. Radio navigation, radio measurement, short message communication, satellite-based enhancement, precise single-point positioning ... "Jixing" is proficient in everything.

The reporter learned that the precise single-point positioning function of "Jixing" can realize dynamic decimeter-level and after-the-centimeter-level positioning services, considerate service for automatic driving of cars, accurate parking of ships, etc., saving the cost of large-scale construction of base stations. The satellite-based enhanced function of "Jixing" can broadcast the satellite-based enhanced signal that complies with ICAO standards through two frequency points, accurately escort the aircraft to take off and land, and provide domestic and foreign civil aviation users with lower cost and higher availability of navigation services. In addition, in the fields of communication, power, surveying, mapping, transportation, agriculture, Jixing will always "highlight" and protect Guotai and Min'an.

"Jixing" is not only compatible with Beidou II on the navigation signal, providing traditional users with the usual navigation service, but also has a new breakthrough in the short message communication function, the communication ability is increased by 10 times, and it can send more than 1,000 Chinese characters at a time It is enough to cope with emergencies, and can also send information such as pictures, which has a richer application scenario.

According to Pan Yuqian, chief designer of BeiDou-3 satellite, Jixing has also greatly enhanced its ability to receive signals, reducing the user terminal ’s transmit power by 10 times, miniaturizing the user terminal, and greatly improving the user experience. The successful launch of "Jixing" will also work with the first "Jixing" of BeiDou-3 launched on November 1, 2018 to verify the active positioning function of the new system of the BeiDou system, opening the prelude to the comprehensive upgrade of the radio measurement function. .

According to the Beidou Global Networking Plan, in May this year, China will organize the last Beidou-3 network satellite launch, and finally realize the "global networking dream" that generations of Beidou people have been pursuing. At present, the whole line of the project is stepping up preparations in a combat-ready state to ensure the smooth implementation of tasks. (Finish)