NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

Fengyun-3C

Launch Time
Mon Sep 23, 2013 03:07 UTC

Rocket

Long March 4C
Image Credit: CASC
CASC
Status: Active
Price: $64.68 million
Liftoff Thrust: 2,993 kN
Payload to LEO: 4,200 kg
Payload to GTO: 1,500 kg
Stages: 3
Strap-ons: 0
Rocket Height: 46.97 m
Fairing Diameter: 3.8 m
Fairing Height: 11.74 m

Mission Details

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.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 2,250.0 kg
Sun-Synchronous Orbit

Location

LC-9, Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, China

Stats

2013

54th orbital launch attempt

Long March 4C

12th mission
3rd mission of 2013
12th successful mission