First images received from China’s latest weather satellite

Fengyun-4, the first of China’s second-generation geostationary orbiting weather satellites, has sent its first collection of images and data. The images were taken by a multichannel scanning imagery radiometer and an atmospheric sounding interferometer. Information gathered included data on the distribution and intensity of lightning, from a lightning imaging sensor, said Tian Yulong, chief engineer at the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence (SASTIND), which published both the images and data. Fengyun-4 was launched from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in China’s Sichuan Province on December 11, 2016. All major tests on its functionality and imaging modes have been completed and the satellite is expected to be fully operational in June or July 2017.