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Fengyun 3 Satellite to Be Launched in 2005
The Shanghai Space Bureau is about to start research and development of the new Fengyun 3 satellite that will be made with advanced 21st century techniques, according to Beijing Review.
The bureau made the announcement, confirmed by the State Council, on December 31, 2000.
Fengyun 3 will be more advanced and is expected to replace the Fengyun 1. The Fengyun 3 will be equipped with nine instruments that make the satellite more effective and powerful. Launching is scheduled for late 2004 or early 2005.
The designed weight is 2,200 kg and its designed life span will be two years. Its 250-meter resolution power will make it capable of distinguishing a highway while in orbit 890 km above the Earth. Technical standards will be higher than those of the current U.S. NOAA-15 satellite.
The Shanghai Space Bureau is one of the important bases of the Chinese space industry. In the past 31 years, the bureau has made 12 satellites and successfully launched eight of them. Two are still flying in space �� the Fengyun 1C Sun Synchronous Orbital Satellite launched in April 1999, and the Fengyun 2B Earth Synchronous Orbital Satellite launched last June.
China followed the United States and Russia in becoming the third country in the world capable of producing sun synchronous and Earth synchronous orbital satellites, and forming a complete weather observation net. In the next 10 years, China will build a stable observation satellite system and achieve directable three-dimensional observation of the Earth's land masses, oceans and atmosphere.
During the 10th Five-Year Plan Period ��2001-2005 ��, the Shanghai Space Bureau is responsible for developing six satellites. In 2001, it plans to launch the Fengyun 1D to replace the Fengyun 1C�� in 2003, the Fengyun 2C will be launched to take over the work of the Fengyun 2B, which has a designed life span of three years
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