Published : 2025-05-27

On May 27, 2008, China's Fengyun-3 (風雲三號) meteorological satellite was launched into space.

Fengyun-3 is China's first new-generation polar-orbiting meteorological satellite, equipped with more than 10 advanced detection instruments, including a visible and infrared scanning radiometer, an infrared spectrometer, a microwave temperature sounder, and a microwave imager.

The Fengyun-3 satellite plays an important role in monitoring large-scale natural disasters and the ecological environment, studying global environmental changes, climate change patterns, and disaster reduction and prevention.

It can also provide global meteorological data to departments involved in aviation, navigation, and other fields.

The detection capabilities of Fengyun-3 have been fundamentally improved compared to the first generation polar-orbiting meteorological satellite Fengyun-1, which only had visible light means.

The former is able to conduct three-dimensional, all-weather, multi-spectral quantitative detection globally, acquiring parameters of the surface, oceans, and space environments to achieve mid-range numerical forecasting.

On the other hand, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has also included Fengyun-3 in the new generation of the world's polar-orbiting meteorological satellite network.

The relevant observation data will not only be shared domestically but will also serve meteorological observations worldwide.