Feng Yun 2 Earth Observation System
China begins its geostationary meteorological satellite FY-2 program in 1980. Feng-Yun-2 is China's geostationary meteorological satellite, built by the Shanghai Institute of Satellite Engineering. The spin-stabilized spacecraft is quite similar to the Japanese GMS-5 satellite originally built by the Hughes. The FY-2 satellite is operationally similar to GMS with high resolution stretched VISSR data (5km IR, 5km WV, 1.25km VIS), low resolution Wefax (analog), DCP capability and a new digital S-band fax service (CCITT G3) for domestic distribution of charts and imagery. The attitude of the satellite is spin stabilized with a speed of 100 rotation/min. The spacecraft is slightly more massive than PRC's DFH-2 communications satellite. The Feng Yun 2 spacecraft bus diameter is 2.1 m, and the total height on-station is about 4.5 m.
In 1994 the long-awaited Feng Yun 2 GEO meteorological spacecraft was to be launched and positioned at 105 degrees E. The first Feng Yun 2 satellite was undergoing final check-out on 2 April 1994 before being mated to its launch vehicle when a fire and explosion erupted, destroying the vehicle, killing one worker, and injuring 20 or more others. A second Feng Yun 2 spacecraft was not expected to be ready until late 1995 at the earliest (References 625-631).
The Chinese Meteorological Administration (CMA) launched FY-2B to 105 degrees East longitude on 10 June 1997 on a CZ-3 booster from Xichang, and the satellite began regular service late in 1997. On 8 April 1998, FY-2 ceased transmission of images due to a problem with the S-band antenna on the spacecraft.
The FY-2B geostationary meteorological satellite was launched into space on June 25, 2000 with LM-3 from Xi Chang Satellite Launch Center. On July 3, the satellite was successfully positioned at 105?. The on-orbit test for the satellite is going well with all indicators showing that the satellite and the multi-channel scan radiometer are in normal status. The Beijing Meteorological Satellite Ground Station received the first visible image from the satellite at 13:08pm July 6, 2000. On July 20, 2000 the infrared channels were opened. The operational broadcast of the satellite started on January 1, 2001. The S-VISSR data and WEFAX image are open to all users within the transmission coverage.
According to the plan, there are three FY-2 (FY-2C,D and FY-2E) satellites to be manufactured . These three satellites are still spin-stabilized. The main difference from the FY-2A/B is that these three satellites, the radiometer will have five spectral channels. The space resolution of the radiometer remains the same.
China's first independently developed weather satellite has formally sent its first visible cloud picture. China's Central Meteorological Station received the first picture of the Fengyun-2 C on 01 January 2005. The Fengyun-2 C was launched into space in October 2004. It monitors the temperature and the clouds above China and neighbouring areas and is able to provide meteorological information for the Asia-Pacific region.
FY-2 satellite data is open for international users. User stations covered by FY-2A can receive S-VISSR high resolution digital data and WEFAX low resolution analogue data from FY-2A.
The FY-2 program ground system consists of a command and data acquisition station (CDAS), a data process center (DPC), a satellite operation control center (SOCC), ranging stations (one primary station, three secondary stations including one in Australia), widely dispersed data collection platforms (DCP), medium-scale data utilization stations (MDUS) and small-scale data utilization stations (SDUS), and a ground communications system,
Main Parameters of the FY-2 Onboard Remote Sensing Detector
Channel Spectral Instant. Sub-sat Spin Rate Scan Time
range POV Point Cycles/min per pict.
(micro (micro- resolu- (minutes)
meters) rad) tion (Km)
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Visible 0.55-1.05 35 1.25 100 25
IR 10.5-12.5 140 5 100 25
Water vapor 5.7-7.1 140 5 100 25
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| Major Performance: | |
| Launch Mass: | 1,380kg |
| Stabilization | dual spin |
| Power: | 300w |
| Design Lift: | 3-4 years |
