China launched a Long March 3B carrier rocket on May 17 to transport a satellite into space for the country’s Beidou Navigation Satellite System, marking the first deployment (部署) of a Beidou satellite in three years.
The satellite has typical functions for a third-generation Beidou satellite — positioning, navigation and timing. Compared with previous Beidou satellites, it has some upgraded hardware and features a stronger signal, faster transmission speed and higher operational stability, said Chen Zhonggui, chief designer of Beidou’s third-generation satellites.
Despite being called a backup, the satellite is designed to start working as soon as it enters orbit. Its primary tasks are to expand the service areas of Beidou’s short-messaging function, enhance Beidou’s positioning accuracy as well as improve the network’s operational continuity and reliability, he noted.
“Before the end of this year, another two backup Beidou satellites are scheduled to be launched to further strengthen the reliability of the network,” said Wang Dong, deputy project manager of the third-generation Beidou network.
Beidou is currently China’s largest civilian satellite system and one of four global navigation networks, along with the United States’ GPS, Russia’s GLONASS and the European Union’s Galileo.
Since 2000, a total of 60 Beidou satellites, including the first four experimental ones, have been lifted on 45 Long March 3 series rockets from Xichang. In June 2020, the final satellite to complete Beidou’s third-generation network was lifted by a Long March 3B rocket at the Xichangcenter. The following month, President Xi Jinping announced that the system had been completed and had begun providing full-scale global services.
Currently, there are 46 satellites in active service, including the latest one. And China plans to establish the next generation of the Beidou system by 2035. The new version will be “omnipresent (无处不在的), smarter and more integrated” and upon its completion, there will be Beidou service not only on land and sea, but also in the sky, outer space and deep within the oceans, according to the China Satellite Navigation Office.
28. Which is not the function of the latest Beidou satellite?
A.To strengthen the reliability of the network. |
B.To carry other backup satellite to the system. |
C.To increase short-messaging service capacity. |
D.To promote high-precision positioning service. |
29. According to the text, Beidou Navigation Satellite System
.
A.will be replaced by another system by 2035 |
B.is the world’s largest civilian satellite system |
C.has provided full-scale service since July 2020 |
D.has 46 satellites in active service except the latest one |
30. What is the best title for the text?
A.First deployment of Beidou satellite |
B.Establishing Beidou servicein the sky |
C.Latest launch grows network for navigation |
D.A backup satellite to be launched for network |
31. In which section of a newspaper will you most likely to find this passage?
A.Society. | B.Innovation. | C.Military. | D.Economy. |