BD-3M Satellite Bus

Data current as of 2026-07-20.

The BD-3M bus accounts for 14 cataloged objects, of which 14 are in orbit and 12 are active. Most are built by CAST. The largest operator on this bus is CNSA. The first launched in 2015, the most recent in 2024.

14
In orbit
12
Active
14
Total launched
0
Reentered

BD-3M launched per year

1 2 3 4 2015: 2 objects launched 2016: 0 objects launched 2017: 2 objects launched 2018: 4 objects launched 2019: 2 objects launched 2020: 0 objects launched 2021: 0 objects launched 2022: 0 objects launched 2023: 2 objects launched 2024: 2 objects launched 2015 2017 2019 2021 2023
Still in orbit Click a year to list its satellites.

Typical specifications

Most common values across cataloged BD-3M satellites.

Manufacturer CAST
Purpose Navigation
Launch mass 1014 kg
Dry mass 850 kg
Length 2.2 m
Diameter 1.7 m
Span 10 m
Shape Box + 2 Pan
Power 2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
Design life 12 years
Equipment ?
Typical orbit 773 min period, 57° inclination

Top operators

CNSA 14

Top countries

CN 14

BD-3M satellites

Track any of them live in KeepTrack.

Name NORAD COSPAR Owner Launched Orbit Status Track
BEIDOU-3 M28 Beidou DW 60 61187 2024-168C CNSA Sep 19, 2024 773 min, 54.4° Active
BEIDOU-3 M27 Beidou DW 59 61186 2024-168B CNSA Sep 19, 2024 773 min, 54.4° Active
BEIDOU-3 M26 Beidou DW 58 58655 2023-207B CNSA Dec 26, 2023 773 min, 55.8° Active
BEIDOU-3 M28 Beidou DW 57 58654 2023-207A CNSA Dec 26, 2023 773 min, 55.8° Active
BEIDOU-3 M20 Beidou DW 53 44865 2019-090B CNSA Dec 16, 2019 773 min, 56.6° Active
BEIDOU-3 M19 Beidou DW 52 44864 2019-090A CNSA Dec 16, 2019 773 min, 56.6° Active
BEIDOU-3 M6 Beidou DW 34 43582 2018-062B CNSA Jul 29, 2018 773 min, 54.1° Active
BEIDOU-3 M5 Beidou DW 33 43581 2018-062A CNSA Jul 29, 2018 773 min, 54.1° Active
BEIDOU-3 M3 Beidou DW 28 43208 2018-018B CNSA Feb 12, 2018 773 min, 56.7° Active
BEIDOU-3 M4 Beidou DW 29 43207 2018-018A CNSA Feb 12, 2018 773 min, 56.7° Active
BEIDOU-3 M2 Beidou DW 25 43002 2017-069B CNSA Nov 5, 2017 773 min, 56.7° Active
BEIDOU-3 M1 Beidou DW 24 43001 2017-069A CNSA Nov 5, 2017 773 min, 56.7° Active
BEIDOU-3S M1S Beidou DW 18 40749 2015-037B CNSA Jul 25, 2015 773 min, 54.8° Inactive
BEIDOU-3S M2S Beidou DW 19 40748 2015-037A CNSA Jul 25, 2015 773 min, 54.8° Inactive

Frequently asked questions

How many BD-3M satellites are there?

The catalog lists 14 objects built on the BD-3M bus. 14 are in orbit and 0 have reentered.

How many BD-3M satellites are in orbit?

14 BD-3M objects are currently in orbit, of which 12 carry an active status.

Who builds the BD-3M bus?

The BD-3M bus is most commonly built by CAST.

When did the first BD-3M satellite launch?

The first cataloged BD-3M satellite launched in 2015, and the most recent in 2024.

Satellite data compiled by KeepTrack from CelesTrak, Space-Track, and GCAT, provided under CC BY-NC 4.0.