# Beidou
**Wikidata**: [Q14083903](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q14083903)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/beidou-q14083903

## Summary
Beidou is a Chinese navigation satellite and part of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS). It was launched on April 14, 2009, aboard a Long March 3C rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. The satellite serves as a critical component of China's global navigation network.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: April 14, 2009
- **Launch Vehicle**: Long March 3C
- **Launch Site**: Xichang Satellite Launch Center
- **SCN**: 34779
- **COSPAR ID**: 2009-018A
- **Instance Of**: Navigation satellite
- **Part Of**: BeiDou Navigation Satellite System

## FAQs
### Q: What is Beidou?
A: Beidou is a Chinese navigation satellite launched in 2009 as part of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, providing global positioning services.

### Q: When was Beidou launched?
A: Beidou was launched on April 14, 2009.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Beidou?
A: Beidou was launched using the Long March 3C orbital carrier rocket.

## Why It Matters
Beidou plays a pivotal role in China's BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, enhancing global navigation capabilities and reducing reliance on foreign systems like GPS. As a key satellite in the BDS constellation, it supports military, civilian, and commercial applications, including maritime navigation, aviation, and land surveying. Its launch marked a significant milestone in China's efforts to establish a self-sufficient global navigation network, underscoring the country's advancements in space technology and strategic autonomy.

## Notable For
- **Launch Vehicle**: Utilized the Long March 3C rocket, a staple of China's space program.
- **System Affiliation**: Integral to the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, a global network rivaling GPS.
- **Technical Specifications**: Identified by SCN 34779 and COSPAR ID 2009-018A, reflecting its status as a tracked satellite.

## Body
### Launch Details
- **Date**: April 14, 2009
- **Site**: Xichang Satellite Launch Center
- **Vehicle**: Long March 3C

### Technical Specifications
- **SCN**: 34779
- **COSPAR ID**: 2009-018A
- **Classification**: Navigation satellite

### Related Satellites
- Beidou-3 M2S
- Beidou IGSO 5
- Beidou M4 (38251)
- BeiDou-3 M1
- Beidou G5 (38091)
- Beidou G6 (38953)
- Beidou I2-S (40938)
- Beidou IGSO 6 (41434)

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Beidou",
  "description": "Chinese navigation satellite and part of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System.",
  "sameAs": ["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q75604959"],
  "additionalType": "navigation satellite",
  "identifier": ["SCN: 34779", "COSPAR ID: 2009-018A"]
}

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report