With the launch of two Beidou navigation satellites loaded with search and rescue payload for the first time at night on the 19th, China's Beidou will gradually start to provide distress alarm services for users around the world.

These two satellites, launched from Xichang Satellite Launch Center, are the first Beidou navigation satellites loaded with search and rescue payload in China, and the 13th and 14th satellites of Beidou-3 system.

According to Ran Chengqi, director of the China Satellite Navigation System Management Office, China will build the Beidou mid orbit search and rescue system after the successful launch of these two satellites, and as a part of the global satellite search and rescue system, provide distress alarm and positioning services for global maritime, land and air users, which is another major achievement of China's Beidou "going global".

COSPAS-SARSAT is managed by COSPAS-SARSAT. Its members include more than 40 countries and organizations. China is one of the member countries, and the Ministry of Transport is the counterpart.

The loaded search and rescue load was constructed by the Ministry of Transport. In recent years, the China Satellite Navigation System Management Office and the relevant departments of the Ministry of Transport have carried out a lot of work in research and demonstration, international cooperation, technical breakthrough and other aspects around the construction of the Beidou satellite search and rescue system. In February 2018, the International Satellite Organization for Search and Rescue (COSPAS-SARSAT) officially adopted the implementation plan of incorporating the Beidou system into the global satellite search and rescue system.

Li Jing, the head of the Space Information Business Department of the China Communications Information Center affiliated to the Ministry of Transport, said that the two Beidou navigation satellites launched this time and the search and rescue payload carried by them will effectively improve the efficiency of distress alarm forwarding of the global satellite search and rescue system, provide "China's guard" for the global people in distress, and better protect the life safety of the global people in distress.

"Next, we will work closely with the China Satellite Navigation System Management Office to continuously monitor the launched Beidou satellite and the search and rescue payload, and make preparations for the construction of the subsequent satellite borne search and rescue payload," said Li Jing.

Later, the Beidou search and rescue system will also realize the "return link" function, that is, use the Beidou system to send feedback information to the people in distress, informing them that the alarm information has been received, so as to enhance the confidence of the people in distress and improve the success rate of rescue. (Yang Xin, Zou Weirong)

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