China will begin from next year to launch 6 weather satellites in succession to provide all-round weather service for Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. According to Beijing Evening reports, the Fengyun 1 D satellite (Fengyun means wind and cloud in Chinese) is to be launched by Long March 4 rocket carrier before next June.

The satellite will offer weather service for 2008 Olympics by providing long and short term weather reports and air environment analysis, says Li Huang, vice director of China Meteorological Administration.

As is known from the National Satellite Meteorological Center, China will launch another 5 satellites before 2008, they are FY 2 C in 2003, FY 3 A in 2004, FY 3 B and FY 3 C in 2006 and FY 3 C in 2008. Nearly every year there is a satellite to be launched to guarantee Olympic success.

With a service life of 2 to 3 years, these satellites will monitor and forecasts sand storm, tornado, thunder and lightning and air quality, as well as heavy rain, thunderstorm and hailstone.

(People's Daily 08/18/2001)