Feng Yun 4 - Geo-stationary Meteorological Satellite System

Feng Yun 4 / Storm IV is a second generation of Meteosat geostationary meteorological satellite. FY-4, a successor of FY-2 series, would further boost monitoring capabilities, such as the monitoring of cloud system and atmospherical temperature and humidity. The main development objectives are: satellite attitude stabilization mode for the three-axis stabilized and improve the time resolution observations and regional mobile detection capability; improve imaging device performance, in order to strengthen small and medium scale the ability of monitoring weather systems; development and microwave detection Atmospheric Sounding solve three-dimensional high-orbit remote sensing; the development of extreme ultraviolet and X-ray solar observation, to enhance space weather monitoring and warning. FY fourth satellite planned to develop two types of optical and microwave satellite.

China planned to launch the first satellite of the Fengyun-4 (FY-4) series, the country's second-generation geostationary meteorological satellites, around 2013, according to the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) in 2008. It is reported that after repeated demonstration, multi-channel visible and infrared imaging and infrared hyperspectral sounder (Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer), and the stars in the scientific and technological research related technologies, has made great progress.

China has a vast, land things span of more than 60 degrees, with the security of information resources and the demand for regional expansion, optical star in accordance with the East and West binary layout of the space orbit (binary operation), the western regional coverage in western China Star Observers, the Indian Ocean, Red Sea and the Middle East and west Europe, the Eastern Star Observers in the eastern part of China's regional coverage, expanding to the vast Pacific. Microwave detection of a single star to run the satellite, designated to cover our land in the best space-based orbital position. Optical satellite will be in the "Eleventh Five-Year" period to complete project models, and enter the development, in the "five-second" launch test satellite, the satellite to complete the assessment test and a clear state of satellite technology business, "Thirteen Five" Fire Storm 4 operational satellite and take over the task of Fengyun business.

"The Storm IV" is the second-generation geostationary meteorological satellites, by the Shanghai Aerospace Bureau, the "Storm II" led Qing Li, the chief architect of the design, full account of the marine, agriculture, forestry, water resources and the environment, the demand for space science and other fields, to achieve utilization. According to reports, "The Storm IV" Satellite detection equipment mainly two-dimensional scan of 10-channel imager, atmospheric vertical interferometric detector, lightning imaging device, CCD camera and the Earth Radiation Budget instrument, the earth disk imaging time of 15 minutes.

A second-generation geo-stationary Meteorological Remote Sensing earth observation duel purpose satellite called Feng Yun 4 is reportedly in the proposal stage of development with in this Five Year Plan (FYP) 2006-2010. Its first launch is tentatively slated for 2013 typically in the middle of the next five year plan 2011-2015 now being finalized with substantially advanced imaging systems capability planned. This spacecraft has been designated as the first payload for the Long March-5 booster with a payload mass of 8-9 tons which is beyond the present operational launch vehicle capability that is limited to 5.2 tons.

The full instrument packages planned had not been decided upon in October 2008 as this YF-2 successor proposal is developed. It is expected to be more advanced than the existing FY-3’s but in large part based on proven technology with new additions and greater reliance on in country developed systems and longer lifetime durability per the new State science and technology requirements. That is it must be developed base on Chinese technological development assets and not be depend on foreign suppliers for internal self reliance and national security reasons. In some cases some of the systems may benefited in a kind of cross pollination within the industry from other spacecraft project highly successful demonstrated capabilities. Substantial systems applicable technological decisions, design, development and production work lies ahead for the project that is split between two five year plans with its origins being in the present FYP. This must receive both party and parliamentary approval beyond its existing State industry project development phase’s requirements. Some of these requirements may have already received tentative State approval. In all cases the organization involved in the project all work for the same central government employer. Seeing this new development announcement is another demonstration of the normal FYP development cycle that is totally predictable.

The China Meteorological Administration (CMA) intended to launch by the end of two FYP’s down the road ending in December 2020 a total of 22 meteorological satellites. With in that number the FY-2’s will constitute four of the launches while the FY-3’s will utilize 12 planned launches with six new FY-4’s launches also planned. Clearly the FY-4 series is aimed at achieving longer life durability verses the already flown existing satellite types of this series.

China launched a weather satellite 11 December 2016, marking an upgrade of China's meteorological satellites in geostationary orbit. The Fengyun-4 satellite, the first of China's second-generation weather satellites in geostationary orbit to have been launched, was also the country's first quantitative remote-sensing satellite in high orbit. The satellite, launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province, was taken into orbit by a Long March-3B carrier rocket. The launch marked the 242nd mission of China's Long March series of rockets.

The satellite will make high time, spatial and spectral resolution observations of the atmosphere, clouds and space environment of China and surrounding regions, significantly improving capabilities of weather and climate forecasts, according to the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense. The China Meteorological Administration is the primary user of the satellite. Previously, China had successfully launched 14 weather satellites, seven of which were still in orbit.

China launched the Fengyun-3D at 2:35 a.m. Beijing Time Wednesday 15 November 2017 from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in northern China's Shanxi Province. The satellite will form a network with the Fengyun-3C satellite, which was launched into space in September 2013, to improve the accuracy of atmospheric sounding and enhance the monitoring of greenhouse gases. The network will help China's disaster relief work.

China plans to put four more Fengyun-3 meteorological satellites into orbit between 2018 and 2021, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASTC) announced 15 November 2017. The Fengyun-3, including a morning orbit satellite, an afternoon orbit satellite and a precipitation measuring satellite, will form a network of low-orbit meteorological satellites to enhance the monitoring of atmospheric humidity and temperature, greenhouse gases, wind fields and precipitation, said Zhou Xubin with the CASTC. The launch of the Fengyun-3 satellites will help shorten the interval between world weather forecast updates from the current six hours to four hours, and increase the timeliness of weather disaster monitoring and forecast accuracy, said Zhou.