China successfully launched a Long March 4B from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre, China at 0136 GMT on 16 April. The vehicle was carrying Feng Yun 3G (also referred to as Fengyun-3 07), a low Earth orbit precipitation measurement satellite. The meteorological satellite will be used to provide weather forecasting, disaster prevention and mitigation, climate change response and ecological conservation.
Prior to the launch, China imposed a no-fly zone to the north of Taiwan in case of any rocket debris falling which forced civilian flights to adjust their flight paths. The original period for the NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) no-fly zone was three days but, following protests in Taiwan, this was later shortened to just 27 minutes on the morning of the launch. The launch comes just a week after China conducted three days of live-fire drills around Taiwan, including simulating an encirclement of the self-governed island. Beijing’s no-fly zone notice, which shortly followed the military drills, stoked fears that China was trying to cut off Taiwan’s airspace – even though its NOTAM notice was normal practice.
In the 471st flight of the Long March carrier rockets, China successfully launched a Long March-4B rocket carrying a meteorological satellite. Courtesy: Xinhua
