China has unveiled a comprehensive plan to advance its Beidou positioning and navigation system by 2035, a move with potential global ramifications. The “Beidou Satellite Navigation System Development Plan before 2035,” released by the China Satellite Navigation System Management Office (CNSO) on November 28, outlines key technological research to be completed by 2025, followed by the launch of three test satellites around 2027.
The next generation of Beidou networking satellites is slated for launch around 2029, with the entire system upgrade finalized by 2035. Currently, China operates a 30-satellite Beidou system providing global positioning, navigation, and timing services, featuring satellites in medium, inclined geosynchronous, and geostationary orbits.
The enhanced Beidou system will utilize satellites across high (likely geosynchronous), medium, and low Earth orbits. State media, Global Times, reports the system will offer real-time, high-precision, and highly reliable services across Earth and near-Earth space, with accuracy ranging from meter-level to decimeter-level. It will support diverse user terminals, from Earth's surface to deep space, integrating with non-satellite-based technologies.
Similar to GPS, Europe's Galileo, and Russia's GLONASS, Beidou serves civilian applications like driving, aviation, and maritime navigation, while also supporting industry, agriculture, and finance. Importantly, it also has significant military applications. The National Space-Based Positioning, Navigation and Timing Advisory Board (PNTAB) has acknowledged Beidou’s superiority to GPS in certain areas, particularly its two-way communication and regional accuracy, though GPS maintains global dominance in adoption and certain technological aspects.
However, the ongoing modernization of GPS faces delays and challenges, according to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report. A superior next-generation Beidou could significantly enhance China's PNT capabilities, potentially making it the preferred system globally, boosting its commercial and economic influence, and strengthening its military capabilities. This aligns with China’s Space-Ground Integrated Information Network (SGIIN) initiative, aiming to integrate various satellite services into a unified system.
China’s plans also include at least two low Earth orbit megaconstellations for communications, alongside existing remote sensing infrastructure. The final two Beidou-3 backup satellites launched in September 2023, marking a significant milestone in the system’s development. The first Beidou satellite launched in October 2000.