Fengyun-3 3 (FY-3C)

Spacecraft Nº:

Chinese spacecraft Nº: 212

Launch data: Designation  39260 / 13052A Launch date  23 Sept 2013 - 03:07 UT Launch site  Taiyuan, LC-9 Launch vehicle  CZ-4C Mission  Weather, Meteorology Earth orbit: Perigee / Apogee  833 x 836 km Eccentricity   Inclination   98.8° Period  101.5 min

Spacecraft data:

Description:

• FENGYUN 3C is the third in China's second-generation series of polar-orbiting weather satellites. Its launch came after nearly identical satellites were put in orbit in 2008 and 2010. FENGYUN 3C will make global three-dimensional measurements of Earth's atmosphere, returning data on cloud cover, temperatures, moisture, snow and ice cover, rainfall, ozone, and the sun's influence on the climate, according to a website maintained by the China Meteorological Administration. Observations from the satellite will feed data parameters into numerical medium-range computer models, monitor climate changes, supply information for Chinese military weather forecasts, and help officials respond to natural disasters, the website said.
• The three-axis stabilized satellites feature on solar panel and following instruments:
  • VIRR (Visible and Infrared Radiometer)
  • IRAS (Infrared Atmospheric Sounder)
  • MWTS (Microwave Temperature Sounder)
  • MWHS (Microwave Humidity Sounder)
  • MERSI (Medium Resolution Spectral Imager)
  • SBUS (Solar Backscattering UV Sounder)
  • TOU (Total Ozone Unit)
  • MWRI (Microwave Radiation Imager)
  • ASI (Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer)
  • ERM (Earth Radiation Measurement)
  • SEM (Space Environment Monitor)
  • SIM (Solar Irradiation Monitor)

Mission details:

• The third Fengyun-3 satellite, 'di san ke fengyun san hao', was launched from Taiyuan Space Center on Sep 23 into an 801 x 815 km x 98.8 deg orbit with a 1010 local time descending node.

Satellite tracking: