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Weather satellite sent into orbit
China launched its first geostationary orbit meteorological satellite, the Fengyun-2C,Tuesday morning, using a Long March carrier rocket.
The 1.38-ton satellite,developed and manufactured by
China, entered its orbit 24 minutes after takeoff. In the next few days, it will
be positioned at 105 degrees east longitude over the equator with an observation
scope covering one third of the earth's surface, according to
scientists.
China earlier sent two experimental models of FY2 series
in 1997 and 2000. With two new channels being added to its scan radiometre, the
second generation satellite, the FY2 C, has reached an international standard of
new generation weather satellites, experts said.
The newly-added infrared observation and visible light
channels will enable FY2 C to observe the size of water drops atop cloud layers
around-the-clock, and to better monitor the surface temperature of sea water,
experts said.
With greatly enhanced resolution and accuracy of
observation, the new satellite also has better access to data of oceanic
meteorological and hydrological information and monitor changes of solar and
space particle radiation, said experts.
China has launched seven weather satellites since 1988,
including four FY1 polar orbit vehicles and three FY2 stationary earth
synchronous orbit ones.
The FY2 C, the first professional geostationary orbit
satellite launched by China, is expected to help keep track of small-scale
disastrous climate changes like hailstorms, and observe forest and prairie
fires, foggy weather and sandstorms.
In the next few years, China is scheduled to launch several FY2 weather satellites to allow continuously-operating coverage of weather situations. |
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