Dong Fang Hong 49

Spacecraft nº:

Chinese spacecraft nº: 65

Launch data: Designation 26382 / 00032A Launch date 25 Jun 2000 - 11:50 UT Launch site  Xichang, LC-1 Launch vehicle: CZ-3 (#59) Mission Meteorology Geostationary orbit on Jul 2, 2000 (.42): Perigee / Apogee  35801 x 35864 km Eccentricity  0.0007 Inclination  1.07 deg Period  1438.47 min Location 105°E

Chinese weather satellite. Photo: Courtesy spacechina.com

Spacecraft data:

Mission details:

• Initial data showed the rocket placed Fengyun 2 into a highly elliptical transfer orbit with a low point of 127 miles and high point of 22,392 miles. The satellite will boost itself into a circular geostationary orbit 22,300 miles over the equator at 105 degrees East longitude.
• The launch was the 61st by a Long March rocket and the 13th flight of a Long March 3 rocket.