China launches new Fengyun satellite to enhance disaster weather forecasting and monitoring

China launched a new meteorological satellite from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province on Saturday.

A Long March-3B rocket, carrying the Fengyun-4 03 satellite, blasted off at 12:07 a.m., and has sent the satellite into the preset orbit.

Developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, the satellite is the third in the Fengyun-4 series, following the previous launches of the first two satellites on December 11, 2016 and June 3, 2021, respectively.

Equipped with four types of Earth remote sensing instruments and two solar observation instruments, Fengyun-4 03 satellite is an important component of China's next-generation geostationary meteorological satellites.

It is mainly designed for short-term weather forecasting needs, such as for typhoons, heavy rainfall and space weather forecasting.

The satellite will join other Fengyun meteorological satellites in orbit to create a more comprehensive meteorological observation network, further enhancing China's ability to monitor, forecast and provide detailed services for disaster-related weather events.

The launch marks the 621st flight mission of the Long March carrier rocket series.