A Long March 4C (CZ-4C) rocket successfully launched the 2.8 metric ton Feng Yun-3F (sometimes written as Fengyun-3F) meteorological satellite into an 828 km sun-synchronous orbit from Jiuquan at 0347 GMT on 3 August 2023. The launch on behalf of the China State Meteorological Administration took place from the Jiuquan launch site in Inner Mongolia. The satellite, which is expected to replace Feng Yun 3C, is equipped with Instruments including the VIRR (Visible and Infrared Radiometer), IRAS (Infrared Atmospheric Sounder), MWTS (Microwave Temperature Sounder), MWHS (MicroWave Humidity Sounder), MERSI (Medium Resolution Spectral Imager), SBUS (Solar Backscattering UV Sounder), TOU (Total Ozone Unit), MWRI (Microwave Radiation Imager), ASI (Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer), ERM (Earth Radiation Measurement), SEM (Space Environment Monitor and SIM (Solar Irradiation Monitor).
Long March 4C (CZ-4C) ignites before its flight carrying Feng Yun 3F. Courtesy: China Army
