Fengyun4

Fengyun-4 (FY-4) is a series of Chinese geostationary meteorological satellites developed by the China Meteorological Administration (CMA). It represents the fourth generation of the Fengyun program and provides near-real-time weather observation and atmospheric data to support forecast operations, disaster monitoring, and climate research. The FY-4 satellites are designed for continuous coverage of China and the surrounding region from a fixed geostationary orbit.

Payloads on FY-4 typically include imaging systems for visible and infrared wavelengths and an infrared sounding instrument, enabling high-resolution cloud monitoring, surface analyses, and vertical temperature and humidity profiling. Some configurations also include imaging capabilities for environmental monitoring such as sea surface temperature and aerosols, yielding data products used in numerical weather prediction and weather nowcasting.

The satellites operate in geostationary orbit, ensuring persistent observation of the Western Pacific and East Asian regions. They relay data to ground receiving stations for real-time processing and distribution to meteorological agencies and research institutions. CMA uses FY-4 data to improve forecast accuracy, track severe weather systems, and support climate studies.

The FY-4 program began with FY-4A, launched in 2016, with subsequent satellites continuing the series to enhance resolution, reliability, and coverage. The Fengyun program encompasses both geostationary (FY-4 and predecessors) and polar-orbiting components, forming a key part of China’s weather satellite capabilities.