China will build a national comprehensive space-time system by 2035, with the next-generation BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) at its core to provide secure and reliable positioning and navigation, said the chief designer of the system.
China on Thursday launched two new satellites of the BeiDou-3 Navigation Satellite System (BDS-3) from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province.
The two satellites, the 59th and 60th satellites of the BeiDou system, were launched at 09:14 (Beijing Time) by a Long March-3B carrier rocket and the Yuanzheng-1 (Expedition-1) upper stage attached to the carrier rocket.
According to the China Satellite Navigation System Office (CSNO), the two satellites launched this time will ensure the stable operation of the BeiDou-3 Navigation Satellite System (BDS-3), while also conducting trials and testing of new technologies for the next-generation BeiDou Navigation Satellite System.
"This is our future development goal. More specifically, it is to achieve seamless connectivity from deep space to deep sea, to underground and from indoor to outdoor, ensuring that every corner is covered by navigation and positioning. This goal is set to be realized by 2035." said chief designer Yang Changfeng, who is also an Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), in a recent interview.
Yang also said that the next-generation BeiDou Navigation Satellite System will expand its coverage and be more reliable for users.
"Our future direction in system development will be centered around the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, integrating satellite and non-satellite navigation methods. This will provide all users with a highly reliable, practical, and convenient experience, enabling seamless satellite navigation connectivity. People will be able to go anywhere in the world and receive precise guidance on their path forward. This is the goal we aim to achieve in the future," said Yang.
China to build national comprehensive space-time system with next-generation BDS system by 2035: chief designer
U.S. stocks ended higher on Tuesday, with both the Standard and Poor's 500 and the Nasdaq Composite Index notching fresh all-time highs as easing oil prices and a strong batch of corporate earnings boosted investor sentiment.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 356.35 points, or 0.73 percent, to 49,298.25. The Standard and Poor's 500 added 58.47 points, or 0.81 percent, to 7,259.22. The Nasdaq Composite Index increased by 258.32 points, or 1.03 percent, to 25,326.13.
All 11 primary Standard and Poor's 500 sectors ended in the green. The materials and technology sectors led the gainers, advancing 1.67 percent and 1.63 percent, respectively. The utilities sector posted the weakest growth, edging up by just 0.01 percent.
The geopolitical backdrop provided some relief for markets, even as the ceasefire between the United States and Iran remains fragile amid reports of fresh attacks in the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday that the ceasefire "certainly holds" and that "two U.S. commercial ships, along with American destroyers, have already safely transited the strait, showing the lane is clear."
Following these reassuring remarks, global energy markets retreated.
Another round of better-than-expected corporate financial results added to the positive momentum in equities. Shares of materials science giant DuPont de Nemours gained 8.43 percent after its first-quarter earnings and revenue beat Wall Street expectations. Belgian brewer Anheuser-Busch InBev popped 8.74 percent following its upbeat quarterly report.
Conversely, several notable companies faced sharp sell-offs after their earnings announcements. Shares of e-commerce platform Shopify sank 15.62 percent, and digital payments firm PayPal dropped 7.74 percent. Language-learning app Duolingo declined 5.62 percent, and data analytics company Palantir Technologies pulled back nearly 7 percent.
In the semiconductor sector, Intel emerged as a massive winner, soaring nearly 13 percent to hit a new all-time high following media reports that the chipmaker is in active discussions with Apple regarding custom chip supply. Meanwhile, rival chip maker Advanced Micro Devices saw its shares rise 4.02 percent as investors positioned themselves ahead of the company's scheduled earnings release after the market close.
U.S. stocks advance amid easing oil prices, strong semiconductor shares
U.S. stocks advance amid easing oil prices, strong semiconductor shares
