A Long March 3A rocket carrying meteorological satellite Fengyun-II 08 blasts off from the launching pad at Xichang Satellite Launch Center, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Dec. 31, 2014. China successfully launched Fengyun-II 08, its meteorological satellite, at 9:02 a.m. on Wednesday. The satellite will collect meteorological, maritime and hydrological data; and transmit information that will be used for weather forecasting and environment monitoring. (Xinhua/Liu Chan) |