FY-3 Series, The Second Generation of Polar-Orbiting Meteorological Satellites of China
Wenjian Zhang
National Satellite Meteorological Center (NSMC)
China Meteorological Administration (CMA)
Beijing 100081, China
1. Preface
1.1 Introduction
China has launched four R&D meteorological satellites (including two polar orbiting and two geostationary R&D satellites) since 1988. That was FY-1A (polar) in 1988, FY-1B (polar) 1990, FY-2A (Geo.) in 1997 and FY-2B (Geo) in 2000, as well as the corresponding ground data acquisition, processing and application system, respectively. These R&D satellites and the ground segment are not only laid solid foundation for development of operational satellites and ground systems, but also provided valuable data, products and services to the whole country as well as the data coverage areas. Now the first operational meteorological satellite FY-1C (polar) was successfully operated in the orbit for almost three years, and her sister satellite, FY-1D, will be launched in the first half of 2002. In the same time, the FY-2 operational satellites FY-2C/D/E are under manufacturing and the first one FY-2C is schedules to be launched in late 2003.
The program of second generation of polar orbiting meteorological satellites, FY-3 series, with the beginning of the first two R&D satellites (FY-3A and FY-3B) formally started since 1999. Now the first two satellites and the onboard instruments are under manufacturing. This paper will give a brief introduction to FY-3 system, i.e., satellite system specifications, as well as the main payload.
1.2 The main objectives of developing FY-3 series.
The main mission objectives for FY-3 are:
- To provide global sounding of 3 -dimensional thermal and moisture structures of the atmosphere, cloud and precipitation parameters to support global and regional numerical weather prediction;
- To provide global imaging to support short range weather forecasting and real time monitoring of meteorological/hydrological disasters and surface environment anomaly
- To provide necessary data for deriving important geophysical parameters to support researches on global change and climate change.
- To collect and relay important data.
1.3 FY-3 development plans
According to the current plan, there are two developing stages for FY-3 series, i.e. Research and Development (R&D) phase and operational phase.
