FY-3 weather satellite A, China’s new generation polar orbiting meteorological satellite, opened on May 15, 2009 its data storage and service system to the public. Both users and general public can download the data and products provided by FY-3 weather satellite via the data dissemination system, or a sharing website, or though the FTP server located on the premises of the National Satellite Meteorological Center. People may also get cloud image messages from the website when booked in advance. In addition to providing traditional search and download services, the new system is designed with an integrated space database, allowing space based distribution and purchase of satellite remote sensing data with the support of

National Satellite Meteorological Center also established a special data service agency equipped with technical and data service personnel, to provide manual data service and help for major disasters and research projects.

FY-3 weather satellite A has so far provided 2.23TB of real time satellite meteorological data to China and its adjacent areas since December 31, 2008.

Chinese FY-3s are the second generation of China’s polar orbiting meteorological satellite series. This satellite series including 7 satellites will be operating during 2005 - 2020. The first two satellites FY-3A and FY-3B and the on-board instruments are being designed and manufactured. Onboard the satellites of FY-3A and FY-3B, there are three passive microwave payload, they are: Microwave Temperature Sounder (MWTS), Microwave Humidity Sounder (MWHS) and Microwave Radiation Imager (MWRI). The paper and presentation will describes the FY-3 mission and the status of development of FY-3A, with the focus on the microwave payload, as well as the considerations on the possible contribution of the FY-3 series to the GlobalPrecipitation Mission (GPM).

The main objectives of developing FY-3 series. The main mission objectives for FY-3 are: To provide global sounding of 3 -dimensional thermal and moisture structures of the atmosphere, cloud and precipitation parameters Illustration of the FY-3 satellite (image credit: CMA/NSMC) to support global and regional numerical weather prediction; To provide global imaging to support short range weather forecasting and real time monitoring of meteorological/hydrological disasters and surface environment anomaly To provide necessary data for deriving important geophysical parameters to support researches on global change and climate change. To collect and relay important data.

• Illustration of the IRAS instrument (image credit: CMA/NSMC)

• 2008 May 27 - FY-3A - Launch Site: Taiyuan. Launch Vehicle: CZ. Perigee: 826 km (513 mi). Apogee: 828 km (514 mi). Inclination: 98.80 deg. Period: 101.40 min. Polar orbiting weather satellite. The FY-3 series will replace the older FY-1 polar system.Development of Chinese FY-3 Meteorological Satellite Series and possible Contribution to GPM Wenjian ZHANG (Principal Author) and Naimeng LU National satellite Meteorological Center China Meteorological Administration Beijing 100081, P.R. CHINA Session 1, New and Future Sensors Applications and Systems Tuesday, 13 January 2009, 1:30 PM-3:00 PM, Room 230 Previous paper Next paper Browse or search entire meeting AMS Home Page

• Wenjian Zhang National Satellite Meteorological Center (NSMC) China Meteorological Administration (CMA) Beijing 100081, China

• Chen Lan, Dragon in Space, Web Address when accessed: http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Launchpad/1921/