🌍 China Launches Fengyun-3 08 Meteorological Satellite to Boost Global Weather Forecasting

🚀 Long March-4C Rocket Successfully Delivers Satellite into Orbit

China has successfully launched the Fengyun-3 08 meteorological satellite on September 27, 2025, marking another milestone in its space and climate monitoring programs. The satellite was carried into space by the Long March-4C rocket, which lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 3:28 a.m. local time. This mission contributes not only to China’s space exploration goals but also to a global green mission aimed at improving climate monitoring and sustainable development.

🌦 Purpose of Fengyun-3 08 Satellite

The Fengyun-3 08 satellite will primarily be used for:

• Accurate weather forecasting
• Atmospheric chemistry analysis
• Climate change monitoring
• Disaster management

By operating in a sun-synchronous orbit, it ensures consistent coverage and data collection across the globe.

🔬 Advanced Instruments Onboard

Equipped with nine remote sensing instruments, the Fengyun-3 08 satellite brings a new level of precision to atmospheric and environmental monitoring. Its technology includes:

• A medium-resolution spectral imager for capturing detailed atmospheric data
• An infrared hyperspectral atmospheric detector for climate studies
• A microwave imager capable of penetrating cloud cover

With these instruments, the satellite achieves high-precision greenhouse gas detection over a swath width of 100 kilometers — a feat never reached before.

🌐 Global Coverage and Improved Forecasting

The Fengyun-3 08 will form a constellation with two other Fengyun satellites, providing 100% global coverage of observation data. This advancement reduces the update time of numerical weather forecasting data from 6 hours to just 4 hours. Additionally, it extends forecast capabilities by about 24 hours and doubles the efficiency of disaster monitoring.

🚀 Long March-4C Rocket: Powering the Mission

The Long March-4C rocket, a three-stage liquid-propellant carrier, played a vital role in the successful deployment. It can carry payloads of up to 3 tonnes to a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 700 kilometers. Known for its versatility, the rocket can launch both single and multiple satellites in one mission. Moreover, it supports all-weather, all-day operations, ensuring reliability in critical missions.

📈 Significance of the Launch

This mission marks the 596th flight of the Long March rocket series, showcasing China’s consistent progress in space exploration. The Fengyun-3 08 satellite is not just a step forward in China’s space program but also a major contribution to the global fight against climate change. By enhancing data accuracy, expanding forecasting windows, and strengthening disaster management, this launch emphasizes China’s role in global environmental protection.

Final Thoughts

The successful launch of the Fengyun-3 08 meteorological satellite represents a significant achievement for both China’s aerospace industry and the world. With cutting-edge instruments and global data coverage, it will play a crucial role in weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and disaster prevention. As environmental challenges grow more complex, satellites like Fengyun-3 08 are indispensable tools for securing a sustainable and resilient future.