Fengyun Meteorological Satellite, China's Long-life Satellite

The No.1 Fengyun C meteorological satellite, designed and developed by Shanghai Bureau of Astronautics, is noted for its outstanding performance in the orbit. Since its launching into operation, it has accurately forecast all kinds of disastrous weather and has become one with a service life of the longest.

Figures from Shanghai Bureau of Astronautics show that the satellite has cycled 5161 circles around the earth and has sent down 1421 pieces of remote directives.

Ren Xinmin, China's famous spaceflight expert, said that C satellite excels in service at the world advanced level. A synchronous meteorological satellite, circling with a low orbit height, it has a high probe precision and space resolution ratio. By its cloud pictures sent down it has enabled satellite users to know well forecasting sandstorm, fire disaster, flood and other disasters. By its picture data it provides accurate information in forecast of north China's sandstorm weather from March to April. According to satellite data, Guangzhou Meteorological Satellite Ground Station has observed 55 fire blazing sites in mountain areas on March 28, and these have helped avert great economic loss in the province.

The satellite also recorded the process of No. 14 typhoon sweeping over Hong Kong and later moving to Nanling mountain area last September. Thanks to the forecast, Hong Kong had achieved the minimum of economic losses. It is reported that the satellite has been widely used in Britain, Singapore, Spain, Italy and other countries; the USA, France and Germany are also among those that have been helped by C satellite data. C Satellite has won high repute for good capacity and high quality cloud pictures provided.



People's Daily Online --- http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/