Fengyun-3C

Fēngyún (simplified Chinese: 风云; traditional Chinese: 風雲; lit. 'wind cloud'), abbreviated FY, are China's weather satellites. China has launched polar orbit and geosynchronous orbit meteorological satellites since 1988. On 11 January 2007, China destroyed one of these satellites (FY-1C) in a test of an anti-satellite missile. The satellites in the FY-1 and FY-3 series are polar-orbiting sun-synchronous orbits. The satellites in the FY-2 and FY-4 series are in geosynchronous orbit. Meteorological satellites are important in oceanography, agriculture, forestry, hydrology, aviation, navigation, environmental protection, and national defense. They contribute to the national economy and to preventing and mitigating disasters. The latest satellites monitor bad weather around the clock, particularly convective rainstorms, thunderstorms, and hailstorms. They also monitor developing sandstorms as well as air quality and provide early warnings.