Chinanews, Beijing, Jan. 18 – The Fengyun-2D meteorological satellite made by China recently delivered its first set of pictures taken in space to the earth. The pictures were received last week by the China Meteorological Bureau (CMB). Experts from CMB appraised the pictures as “clear and high-quality.” They said that these pictures show that China’s Fengyun meteorological satellite has reached world advanced level. So far, China has sent altogether 8 meteorological satellites into space, the People's Daily Overseas Edition reported.
Fengyun-2D meteorological satellite moves at the same track as Fengyun-2C and it is used to back up related information. The two satellites monitor the meteorological changes in space together. Qin Dahe, CMB's director-general, said they would work to better utilize meteorological satellites and expand their service range, explore their application fields and service fields, and make good use of the data gathered by these meteorological satellites.
After launching into space, Fengyun-2D meteorological satellite moves together with Fengyun-2C meteorological satellite and the two can monitor meteorological changes happening in Chinese territory in every 15 minutes at most and the range of observation has expanded by 20 longitudes to the west.
The two satellites not only will expand the observation range, they will also enable China to monitor disastrous weather conditions at short intervals. In addition, they can make three-dimensional pictures at some key areas. Thus, they can help reduce possible damages resulting from disastrous weather conditions to a minimum.
Fengyun 2D satellite will perform at its best level in 2008, when Beijing will host the Olympic Games. Therefore it will provide the best service for the Beijing Olympic Games by then, said Yang Jun, director of the National Meteorological Satellite Center at CMB.
Fengyun-2D satellite was launched on December 8, 2006, in Xichang satellite launching center. Its observation range covers the whole Asia continent, the Indian Ocean and the West Pacific Ocean. It was designed by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. CMB was responsible for building the ground application system. Therefore China has the complete intellectual property right to it.
Over the next few years, China will launch the other Fengyun satellite series into space, including Fengyun-2E, Fengyun-2F, Fengyun-2G, and Fengyun-2H meteorological satellites. Before 2008, China will send a Fengyun 3 meteorological satellite into space, Yang said.
