BEIJING, May 4 (China Space News) --  A newly-launched satellite of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) entered its preset orbit Friday, according to Xi'an Satellite Control Center.

After four orbital transfers, the satellite entered its operational orbit. The satellite was launched last Saturday on a Long March-3B carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province.

It is the 44th satellite of the BDS satellite family and the first BDS-3 satellite in inclined geosynchronous Earth orbit.

After in-orbit tests, the satellite will work with 18 other BDS-3 satellites in intermediate circular orbit and one in geosynchronous Earth orbit.