In a pre-dawn liftoff at the Chinese mainland’s Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, a Long March-4C rocket successfully launched Fengyun-3 08 at 3:28 a.m., marking the 596th flight of the Long March series. As part of a global green mission, this satellite seeks to revolutionize weather forecasting and climate change monitoring.
Built by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, Fengyun-3 08 carries nine cutting-edge remote sensing instruments, including:
- Medium-resolution spectral imager
- Infrared hyperspectral atmospheric detector
- Microwave imager
Fengyun-3 08 will join two existing Fengyun satellites to form a comprehensive observation cluster with 100 percent coverage of the planet. This network will:
- Cut data update intervals from 6 to 4 hours for numerical weather forecasting
- Extend forecast horizons by approximately 24 hours
- Double efficiency in disaster monitoring and response
The Long March-4C is a three-stage, liquid-propellant rocket designed for all-weather, around-the-clock operations. Capable of deploying up to 3 tonnes into a 700 km sun-synchronous orbit, it supports single- or multi-satellite missions, underscoring its role in future space exploration and sustainable monitoring initiatives.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
