Fengyun3A

Fengyun3A is a Chinese polar-orbiting meteorological satellite, part of the Fengyun (FY) series operated by the China Meteorological Administration (CMA). Launched on September 27, 2012, from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, FY3A was the first of the second generation Fengyun satellites. Its primary mission was to provide global and regional atmospheric and oceanic environmental data.

The satellite carries a suite of advanced instruments designed for observing Earth's weather and climate. Key payloads include the Visible and Infrared Radiometer (VIRR) for cloud imagery and surface temperature, the Infrared Sounder (IRS) for vertical temperature and humidity profiles, and the Microwave Temperature Sounder (MWTS) and Microwave Humidity Sounder (MWHS) for all-weather atmospheric profiling. It also featured a Total Ozone Unit (TOU) for ozone layer monitoring and a Solar Backscatter Ultraviolet Radiometer (SBUV) for atmospheric composition.

Fengyun3A played a crucial role in improving weather forecasting accuracy in China and contributing to global climate monitoring efforts. Its data was used for a wide range of applications, including numerical weather prediction, climate change research, disaster monitoring, and environmental protection. The successful operation of FY3A paved the way for subsequent, more advanced satellites in the Fengyun-3 series, enhancing China's capabilities in Earth observation and space-based meteorological services.