July tests loom for Beidou satellite linkage

China will start testing the intersatellite links of the Beidou Navigation Satellite System from July 3, a senior official said on Thursday.

"Intersatellite linkage is one of the most significant new functions featuring China's new-generation Beidou satellite," Xiangli Bin, chief commander of the Beidou system, said at a news conference in Shanghai.

The satellite was sent into orbit on March 31. After 20 days' testing, scientists received the first data from the satellite on Tuesday, and on Thursday announced that it is operating successfully.