China launched its first geostationary orbit meteorological satellite, the Fengyun-2C, Tuesday morning, using a Long March carrier rocket.

The launch took place at 9:20 am at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in the southwest China province of Sichuan.

The 1.38-ton satellite, developed and manufactured by China, entered its orbit 24 minutes after takeoff. In the next few days, it will be positioned at 105 degrees east longitude over the equator with an observation scope covering one third of the earth's surface, according to scientists.

China earlier sent two experimental models of FY2 series in 1997 and 2000. With two new channels being added to its scan radiometer, the second generation satellite, the FY2 C, has reached an international standard of new generation weather satellites, experts said.

The newly-added infrared observation and visible light channels will enable FY2 C to observe the size of water drops atop cloud layers around-the-clock, and to better monitor the surface temperature of sea water, experts said.

With greatly enhanced resolution and accuracy of observation, the new satellite also has better access to data of oceanic meteorological and hydrological information and monitor changes of solar and space particle radiation, said experts.

China has launched seven weather satellites since 1988, including four FY1 polar orbit vehicles and three FY2 stationary earth synchronous orbit ones.

The FY2 C, the first professional geostationary orbit satellite launched by China, is expected to help keep track of small-scale disastrous climate changes like hailstorms, and observe forest and prairie fires, foggy weather and sandstorms.

In the next few years, China is scheduled to launch several FY2 weather satellites to allow continuously-operating coverage of weather situations.

(Xinhua News Agency October 20, 2004)