China will become a major contributor to worldwide research and
monitoring of global weather changes with the planned launch of a
state-of-the-art meteorological satellite in the next few years.
The satellite, code named "Fengyun 3," -- Fengyun meaning wind and
cloud in Chinese -- is expected to join two other satellites,
developed by the United States and European countries, as key
sources of global environmental data.
"The World Weather Organization under the United Nations has
designed the trip of satellites to improve research on global
meteorological issues," said Meng Zhizhong, satellite chief
designer of Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology.
Preparations are underway for the construction of Fengyun 3, which
is expected to be in use by 2004.
"A
framework for the satellite is already established, the equipment
to monitor weather changes is ready and a model of the satellite
has been made," said Meng, who is in charge of the satellite
programme.
Meng told China Daily in an exclusive interview that the model is
still undergoing tests, but would ready for its launch in three
years time.
The satellite, the second-generation of polar-orbiting
meteorological satellites in China, will benefit the global
community by improving the study and scrutiny of global
environmental problems, such as ozone layer depletion, the
greenhouse effect, natural disasters and air pollution.
"Natural disasters like sandstorms in China, floods in Britain and
bushfires in Southeast Asia can be closely observed to curb
damages," said Meng.
Meng said the launch would further establish China's reputation as
a world satellite power.
"It will advance China's meteorological research and improve
China's status in global efforts in weather research," said
Meng.
China has become the third country, following the United States and
Russia, to develop and launch weather satellites with
sun-and-earth-synchronous orbits.
China launched two Fengyun weather satellites in 1988 and 1990
respectively.
Meanwhile, Shanghai Aerospace Administration, China's leading
meteorological satellite research house, has said it will launch
several new satellites in the next five years.
"Feasibility studies on the design and launch of the Fengyun 4
meteorological satellite have begun," said Meng.
The Fengyun 4, an updated version of the currently-operating
Fengyun 2 series, will further improve China's scrutiny of
capricious weather changes in the vast but less-developed western
regions, said Meng.
CCTV, the largest State-run TV station in China, has recently used
the Fengyun 2B satellite for weather forecasts, replacing a
Japanese-made satellite.
"The advance of China's own satellite technology will contribute to
the economic development and benefit people's lives in the western
regions," said Meng.
Countries in the Asia Pacific like Australia are also using the
Fengyun 2B for weather forecasting.
Shanghai Aerospace Administration has decided to launch Fengyun 2C
in 2003, a sister satellite to take over from Fengyun 2B, which
will be decommissioned.
(China Daily 02/03/2001)