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China launches new satellite to monitor natural disasters
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  • BEIJING (AFP) Oct 20, 2004
    Fledgling space power China has launched a meteorological satellite capable of monitoring natural disasters, state media reported Wednesday.

    The No. 2 Fengyun C satellite, atop a Long March 3-A carrier rocket, entered its orbit 24 minutes after take-off Tuesday from the Xichang Satellite launch centre in southwestern Sichuan province, the Liberation Daily reported.

    "The satellite has successfully entered the orbit in synchronisation with the Earth's orbit. The launch was very successful," the newspaper said.

    The No. 2 Fengyun C satellite, developed and manufactured by China, has an observation scope that can cover one-third of the Earth's surface.

    The 1.38-ton satellite, which has better resolution and observation capacity than its predecessors, will collect meteorological data, monitor ocean temperatures and measure solar and space radiation.

    It is also expected to help track natural disasters like hailstorms, while monitoring forest and grassland fires, fog and sandstorms.

    China has launched seven weather satellites since 1988 and the report said more such weather satellites were planned over the next few years.




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