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Class: Earth. Type: Weather. Destination: Geosynchronous Orbit. Nation: China. Agency: China Aerospace Corp. Manufacturer: Shanghai ARTI. The Feng Yun 2 spin-stabilized geosynchronous meteorological spacecraft was slightly more massive than China's DFH-2 communications satellite. The Feng Yun 2 spacecraft bus diameter was 2.1 m, and total height on-station was about 4.5 m. The major payload was a scanning radiometer with S-band and UHF data distribution. The two principal sensors were visible and infrared imaging instruments with best resolution of 1.25 km and 5.0 km respectively. A water vapor sensor was also carried. The first Fen Yung 2 satellite was undergoing final checkout on 2 April 1994 before being mated to its launch vehicle when a fire and explosion erupted, destroying the vehicle, killing one worker and injuring 20 others. The operational satellites finally launched was stationed over 104.6E. China planned to put six meteorological satellites into orbit from 2002 to 2008 to offer comprehensive weather services for the 2008 Olympic Games. These included FY-2C in 2003 and FY-2D in 2006. Typical orbit: 35783 km x 35784 km at 1 degrees inclination. Length: 4.50 m (14.70 ft). Maximum Diameter: 2.10 m (6.80 ft). Span: 2.10 m (6.80 ft). Mass: 593 kg (1,307 lb). Associated Launch Vehicle: CZ-3.
FY-2 Chronology - 1994 April 2 - Chinese satellite accident. -
The first Fen Yung 2 geostationary weather satellite was undergoing final checkout before being mated to its launch vehicle when a fire and explosion erupted, destroying the vehicle, killing one worker and injuring 20 others.
- 2000 June 25 - Fengyun-2 - Launch Site: Xichang. Launch Vehicle: CZ-3. Mass: 1,250 kg (2,750 lb). Perigee: 35,786 km (22,236 mi). Apogee: 35,790 km (22,230 mi). Inclination: 0.80 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min.
Second Fengyun-2 weather satellite, replacing the first FY-2 (retired in April after a three year service life). The spin-stabilised FY-2 fired its solid apogee motor early on Jun 26. By July 3, it was in a 35,791 x 35,804 km x 1.1 deg orbit drifting over the Pacific. Stationed at 104 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 110 deg E in 2000. As of 5 September 2001 located at 104.56 deg E drifting at 0.030 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 34.70W drifting at 0.629W degrees per day.
- 2004 October 19 - FY-2C - Launch Site: Xichang. Launch Vehicle: CZ-3A. Mass: 1,380 kg (3,040 lb). Perigee: 35,786 km (22,236 mi). Apogee: 35,791 km (22,239 mi). Inclination: 0.70 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min.
Third Fengyun-2 weather satellite. The apogee motor placed the satellite into a drifting geostationary orbit. As of the date of the launch, four FY-2 satellites had been launched. FY-2 01 was destroyed in a ground fire 1994. FY-2 02 / FY-2A was placed in reserve in May 2000 86 deg E; and FY-2 03 / FY-2B was operational at 123 deg E. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 104.44E drifting at 0.026W degrees per day.
Bibliography and Further Reading - McDowell, Jonathan, Jonathan's Space Report (Internet Newsletter), Harvard University, Weekly, 1989 to Present. Essential internet newsletter recording worldwide weekly space events. Accessed at: http://www.planet4589.org/jsr.html.
- Wen-Rui Hu, Editor, Space Science in China, Gordon and Breach Science Publishers, China, 1997.. ISBN: 9056990233. More at amazon.com...
- China's Space Activities, The State Council Information Office, P.R.C.,
November, 2000. The official short and long range plan for the Chinese Space Program as of November 2000. Accessed at: http://www.astronautix.com/articles/chiities.htm.
- Johnson, Nicholas L; and Rodvold, David M, Europe and Asia in Space 1993-1994, USAF Phillips Laboratory, Kirtland AFB, NM 80907, 1995.. Comprehensive survey of Russian, Chinese, and European launchers and spacecraft.
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