NSSDCA/COSPAR ID: 2017-072A
Operated by the CMA (China Meteorological Administration) and NSMC (National Satellite Meteorological Center), the FY-3 series represents the second generation of Chinese polar-orbiting meteorological satellites and are a cooperative program between CMA and CNSA (China National Space Administration).
The FY-3 series provides global air temperature, humidity profiles, and meteorological parameters such as cloud and surface radiation required in producing weather forecasts, especially in making medium numerical forecasting.
The satellites monitor large-scale meteorological disasters, weather-induced secondary natural hazards and environment changes, providing geophysical parameters for scientific research on climate change and its variability, climate diagnosis and predictions.
The FY-3 series renders global and regional meteorological information for aviation, ocean navigation, agriculture, forestry, marine activities, hydrology and many other economic sectors.
The program was initially approved in 1998, while the engineering development of the first satellite began the following year. The collection of atmospheric data for intermediate – and long-term – weather forecasting and global climate research are the main aspects of the series.
The FY-3 series satellites are designed and developed by the Shanghai Aerospace Administration. The vehicle structure is a hexahedron of 4.4 m x 2.0 m x 2.0 m in the stowed configuration and 4.4 m x 10 m x 3.8 m in the deployed state.
Launch Date: 2017-11-14
Launch Vehicle: Long March 4C
Launch Site: Taiyuan, Peoples Republic of China
Mass: 2250 kg
Questions and comments about this spacecraft can be directed to: Coordinated Request and User Support Office