China launches advanced weather satellite Fengyun-4

China has successfully launched Fengyun-4 satellite, first of its new generation weather satellites into geostationary orbit.
It was launched onboard of Long March-3B carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province. The launch marked the 242nd mission of China’s Long March series of rockets. 

Key Facts 

• Fengyun-4 is the first of China’s second-generation weather satellites and also the country’s first quantitative remote-sensing satellite in highest orbit.
• It will make high time, spatial and spectral resolution observations of atmosphere, space environment and clouds of China and surrounding regions.
• It will significantly help in improving capabilities of weather and climate forecasts and accuracy of forecasts.
• The China Meteorological Administration (CMA) is the primary user of the satellite. Previously, China had successfully launched 14 weather satellites, of them seven are still in orbit.

Month: Current Affairs - December, 2016