China Launches Fengyun-3F Satellite Carrying 10 Payloads for Weather Data

China launched an addition to its fleet of Fengyun satellites. The new one, the Fengyun-3F satellite, replaced Fengyun-3C, which was launched in 2013.

China Launched Fengyun-3F Satellite

On Wednesday (Aug. 2) at 11:47 p.m. EDT (03:47 GMT; 11:47 a.m. on Aug. 3 in Beijing), a Long March 4C rocket was launched from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert. Upon ignition, the rocket's hypergolic propellant billowed orange smoke, and its purple exhaust propelled it into the azure skies. As the rocket rose, the insulation tiles intended to maintain the ideal temperature of the propellant fell from it, Space.com reported.

The Fengyun-3F satellite was on board, adding to the fleet of Fengyun satellites in geosynchronous and low-Earth orbits operated by the China Meteorological Administration. Fengyun-3F carried ten different meteorological data payloads, including new ozone tracking devices.

The satellite weighs about 5,070 pounds (2,300 kilograms) and is designed to last for about a decade. The Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST), a government-owned company, developed the satellite.

According to Chinese official media, the satellite will gather data and study atmospheric chemistry, climate change, and the environment.

The U.S. Space Force situational awareness tracked the satellite while it traveled in a nearly circular 501-mile-high (806-kilometer) orbit with a 98-degree inclination. At 10:00 a.m., the satellite crosses the equator thanks to its path. Local time, indicating that it is in a "morning orbit."

According to a World Meteorological Organization (WMO) article, China is the only nation with four near-Earth orbit meteorological satellites in sun-synchronous early morning, morning, afternoon, and non-sun-synchronous orbits.

China's 32nd orbital launch of 2023 was this one. This year, the nation intends to send some 200 spacecraft into orbit on Long March rockets, with Chinese private launches launching additional satellites.

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More About the FengYun Series Satellites

The FengYun, or FY, series of Chinese meteorological satellites orbit the Earth in succession. The geostationary satellite series is the even number series, and the polar-orbiting satellite series is the odd number series.

Each satellite is placed alphabetically according to its position in the launch order. In the FY-2 geostationary series, the "FY-2B" denotes the second satellite launched, per the National Satellite Meteorological Center (NSMC).

Typically, a satellite constellation's initial two satellites serve experimental purposes before going into full service. To ensure a smooth transition, the launch of a new series of satellites is planned to coincide with the old series' replacement.

FengYun Meteorological Satellite Programs development and implementation is a national cause that unites the efforts of numerous institutes involved in satellite and carrier rocket production, launching, telemetry & control, and ground application. A complete meteorological satellite application system has been built thanks to the combined efforts of these institutions, and NSMC is now in charge of the polar-orbiting and geostationary meteorological satellites. The Fengyun satellites play a more significant role in defending people's lives and property against natural calamities.