China launches 2nd geostationary orbit weather satellite for 2008 Games

Photo : Xinhua

The FY-2D, developed and manufactured by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology affiliated to China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp., can observe weather changes around-the-clock. It is capable of carrying out infrared nephanalysis of the form and structure of clouds and can also analyse data about visible daytime light.

The Fengyun-2D will form a twin-star observation system with Fengyun-2C, China's first geostationary orbit weather satellite which went into orbit on Oct. 19, 2004, according to the China Meteorological Administration (CMA).

The two satellites have their own observation tasks, but can also replace each other if one of them malfunctions, the CMA said.

FY-2D will help the CMA enrich weather monitoring information from western China where cold fronts and sandstorms usually begin.

"The Fengyun-2D will expand our geostationary weather observation range and improve the forecast and monitoring of disaster weather," said Yang Jun, director of the National Satellite Meteorological Center.

Editor:Du Xiaodan