China launches meteorological satellite into orbit

China has launched a new geostationary weather satellite, Report informs referring to NASA website.

The Fengyun 4B satellite lifted off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center at 00:17 China Standard Time (16:17 UTC on June 2), aboard a Chang Zheng 3B/G3 carrier rocket.

Fengyun, meaning “wind and cloud,” is a series of meteorological satellites which provide China and the international community with data for terrestrial and space weather forecasting.

The program includes both polar-orbiting and geostationary satellites, with the Fengyun 4B (FY-4B) satellite to be part of the geostationary element of the constellation.

The Fengyun 4 satellites are being constructed by the Shanghai Institute of Spaceflight Technology, based around the SAST-5000 platform.

Each satellite has a mass of approximately 5,300 kilograms and is designed to operate for at least five to seven years.