Society

New weather satellite goes into official operation

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-05-26 19:37

BEIJING - China's Fengyun-3B (FY-3B) weather satellite will go into official operation on Thursday after finishing a six-month trial period.

The transfer of the satellite to the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) means that China's weather satellite system is now at an "advanced level," according to a statement from the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense said in a statement.

The satellite, launched on November 5 last year, was designed with a lifespan of three years, the statement said.

The FY-3B will join the FY-3A, another Chinese weather satellite, to create a comprehensive weather satellite system, according to the statement.

According to the National Satellite Meteorological Center, the deployment of the FY-3B will enhance China's ability to monitor the Earth's weather and environment.