fy2

Fy2, short for Fengyun-2, is a series of Chinese geostationary meteorological satellites developed and operated by the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) as part of the Fengyun program. The FY-2 satellites are designed to provide near real-time weather imagery and atmospheric data to support weather forecasting, storm tracking, and environmental monitoring for China and the broader Asia-Pacific region.

Orbit and coverage: FY-2 satellites operate in geostationary orbit, typically positioned to cover eastern Asia and adjacent regions. From their fixed orbital slot, they supply frequent imaging that enables monitoring of weather systems, cloud development, and other atmospheric phenomena over a wide area. The design emphasizes continuous observation rather than global coverage.

Instruments and data: The primary instrument on FY-2 platforms is a Visible and Infrared Spin-Scan Radiometer (VISSR), which delivers multi-spectral images in visible, near-infrared, and infrared channels. Some implementations include a channel for atmospheric moisture (water vapor) to aid in analyzing the vertical distribution of moisture and temperature. Data products are used for cloud analysis, precipitation estimation, typhoon and storm tracking, and auxiliary meteorological applications.

Generations and development: The FY-2 program includes multiple satellites across several generations (e.g., FY-2A, FY-2B, FY-2C, and later variants), each introducing improvements in imaging resolution, channel set, data transmission, and on-board processing. The series has served as a backbone for China’s regional weather observation before newer satellite systems took on larger roles.

See also: Fengyun program, CMA, VISSR, GOES.