Fengyun 2F

Description

Fengyun-2F, a Chinese weather satellite, was launched from Xichang on 13 January 2012 at 00:56 UT by a Long March 3A rocket. The satellite weighed approximately 1369 kg. Fengyun-2F, also known as FY-2F, is part of the Fengyun 2 meteorological satellite series. It will collect real-time weather imagery every 15 minutes for forecasters in China and neighboring countries. The craft carries instruments for visible and infrared high-resolution cloud imagery and for monitoring space weather. The satellite will raise its orbit to an altitude of 22,300 miles over the equator and position itself over the equator at 112 degrees east longitude. Fengyun 2F will begin its operational life as a backup satellite, serving with other previously launched weather satellites. Fengyun 2F will have a design life of four years, an improvement over the previously launched Fengyun 2 satellite series.