BD-2

Compass-IGSO2 (BD-2 I2)

China (PR)

Spacecraft nº:

Chinese spacecraft nº: 156

Also called: Beidou DW7 & Compass G-7

Designation	37256 / 10068A
Launch date	17 Dec 2010 (.84)
Launch site	Xichang, LC1A
Launch vehicle	CZ-3A
Mission	Military: Navigation/Global Positioning
Geostationary orbit on Dec 22.57:
Perigee / Apogee	35716 x 35856 km
Eccentricity	1,19E-03
Inclination	55.24 deg
Period	1436.08 min

Prime contractor	Space Technology Research Institute (part of CASC)
Platform
Operator	Chinese Defense Ministry
Mass at launch	2230 kg
Dry Mass	1130 kg
Basic shape	Box + 2 panels
Dimension (m)	1.70 high
Equipment
Solar array	18.10m span
Stabilization
Propulsion
DC power
Design lifetime	> million years, active: 8 yrs - still active

Date	Position	Remarks
01 Feb 2011	GSO, 55° incl.

Part of Compass constellation.
China launched the 7th Beidou Navigation Satellite (di qi ke beidou daohang weixing) on Dec 17 from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center (xichang weixing fashe zhongxin). The launch vehicle was the "Changzheng sanhao jia" (Long March 3A). Beidou Daohang Weixing 7 will be the second in inclined geosynchronous orbit, following BDW5 launched in July, and is also referred to as Compass I2. It reached synchronous orbit on Dec 22 and as of Dec 29 was in a 35716 x 35857 km x 55.2 deg orbit.

Ref.: #7(JR636), #206, #226, #233 - update: 17.03.11