Satellite navigation system
Definition: A space radiolocation system consisting of one or more satellite constellations, expanded as needed to support predetermined activities, that provides 24-hour three-dimensional position, velocity, and time information to users at any location on the Earth’s surface, near the surface, and in outer space.
Subject: Geographic Information System _ Technology and Application
Related terms: Beidou satellite navigation system, Galileo satellite navigation system, synchronous satellite navigation system
Satellite navigation system is a system that uses satellites for autonomous geolocation. It allows users to receive high-precision positioning signals through end points, providing users with real-time navigation, measurement and tracking and positioning services.
At present, there are four satellite navigation systems in the world: Global Positioning System (GPS) in the United States, GLONASS in Russia, Galileo in the European Union and Beidou Satellite Navigation System (BDS) in China. Among them, Global Positioning System has the earliest development, the highest maturity, and in-depth commercial application development. The GLONASS satellite navigation system achieved global networking in the 1990s, but due to the disintegration of the Soviet Union and the impact of Russia’s economic recession, there was not enough funding for satellite replenishment. At least there were only six or seven satellites in orbit. After 2010, it gradually restored its global service capability. Due to the unique coding system, the overall anti-jamming ability of the system is stronger, and there are potential security advantages in the event of an emergency. The Galileo satellite navigation system is still in the process of construction, with good civilian accuracy, but poor system stability and reliability.
The Beidou satellite navigation system is a global satellite navigation system independently developed and operated by China. It is divided into Beidou-1, Beidou-2 and Beidou-3 systems. On July 31, 2020, the completion and opening ceremony of the Beidou-3 global satellite navigation system was held in Beijing. The Beidou satellite navigation system is a major national science and technology project decided and implemented by the Party Central Committee. The project started in 1994. The construction of the Beidou-1 system was completed in 2000, and the construction of the Beidou-2 system was completed in 2012. The Beidou-3 global satellite navigation system was fully completed and put into service, marking the duel victory of the project’s "three-step" development strategy. Our country became the third country in the world to independently own a global satellite navigation system.
Since the Beidou satellite navigation system provided services, it has been widely used in the fields of transportation, agriculture, forestry and fishery, hydrological monitoring, meteorological forecasting, communication timing, power dispatch, disaster relief and mitigation, public safety, etc., serving the country’s important infrastructure and generating significant economic and social benefits. Navigation services based on the Beidou system have been adopted by e-commerce, mobile intelligent end point manufacturing, location-based service manufacturers, etc., and have widely entered the fields of mass consumption, sharing economy and people’s livelihood in China. The application of new models, new business models and new economies continue to emerge, profoundly changing people’s production and lifestyle.