# Beidou IGSO 6

> 41434

**Wikidata**: [Q35850672](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q35850672)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/beidou-igso-6

## Summary
Beidou IGSO 6 is a Chinese navigation satellite launched on March 29, 2016, as part of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System. It operates in an inclined geosynchronous orbit (IGSO) and supports global positioning, navigation, and timing services. The satellite was deployed using a Long March 3A rocket and is identified by the international COSPAR ID 2016-021A.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: March 29, 2016
- **Launch Vehicle**: Long March 3A rocket
- **COSPAR ID**: 2016-021A
- **Country of Origin**: People's Republic of China
- **Part of**: BeiDou Navigation Satellite System
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 41434
- **Classifications**: Artificial satellite, navigation satellite

## FAQs
### Q: When was Beidou IGSO 6 launched?
A: Beidou IGSO 6 was launched on March 29, 2016, aboard a Long March 3A rocket.

### Q: What is the purpose of Beidou IGSO 6?
A: The satellite provides navigation, positioning, and timing services as part of China's BeiDou system, enhancing regional and global coverage.

### Q: What type of orbit does Beidou IGSO 6 use?
A: It operates in an inclined geosynchronous orbit (IGSO), which helps improve signal accuracy and availability in specific regions.

## Why It Matters
Beidou IGSO 6 plays a critical role in strengthening the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, China's independent global navigation network. By operating in an inclined geosynchronous orbit, it complements other BeiDou satellites in medium Earth orbit and geostationary orbit, ensuring robust coverage across Asia-Pacific regions and beyond. This satellite contributes to the system's ability to provide all-weather, 24/7 navigation services for civil, military, and commercial users, reducing reliance on foreign systems like GPS. Its launch marked a key step in expanding BeiDou's global reach, supporting applications such as maritime navigation, aviation, and disaster relief.

## Notable For
- **Orbit Type**: Operates in an inclined geosynchronous orbit (IGSO), optimizing regional navigation coverage.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Deployed using China's Long March 3A rocket, a reliable carrier for geostationary and high-orbit missions.
- **System Contribution**: Part of the third phase of BeiDou deployment, transitioning the network from regional to global coverage.

## Body
### Launch and Deployment
- **Date**: March 29, 2016
- **Rocket**: Long March 3A, launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in China.
- **Mission**: Positioned in an inclined geosynchronous orbit to enhance navigation signal availability.

### Technical Specifications
- **Identifier**: COSPAR ID 2016-021A, Satellite Catalog Number 41434.
- **Function**: Provides L-band navigation signals for positioning, timing, and short-message communication.
- **Orbit**: IGSO allows the satellite to hover over a specific latitude, improving signal persistence in key regions.

### Mission Purpose
- **Primary Role**: Strengthen the BeiDou constellation, ensuring redundancy and accuracy for users in China and neighboring areas.
- **System Integration**: Works in tandem with other BeiDou satellites to deliver meter-level positioning accuracy and nanosecond-level time synchronization.
- **Global Context**: Part of China's effort to establish a self-reliant navigation system, reducing dependence on GPS, GLONASS, or Galileo.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report