FY 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H

FY 2B

China's geostationary meteorological satellite program FY-2 (Feng Yun 2) began it's development in 1980. It is built by the Shanghai Institute of Satellite Engineering.

FY-2 is a spin-stabilized spacecraft with a speed of 100 rotation/min. The satellite bus diameter is 2.1 m, and the total height on-station is about 4.5 m.

In 1994 the first FY 2 spacecraft was to be launched and was undergoing final check-out on 2 April 1994 before being mated to its CZ-3 launch vehicle when a fire and explosion erupted, destroying the vehicle, killing one worker, and injuring 20 or more others.

The Chinese Meteorological Administration (CMA) launched the replacement FY-2A to 105 degrees East longitude on 10 June 1997 on a CZ-3 booster from Xichang, and the satellite entered operational service late in 1997. On 8 April 1998, FY-2 ceased transmission of images due to a problem with the S-band communication antenna.

FY 2B was launched on a CZ-3 in 25.06.2000. FY 2C as thew first operational model was launched on a CZ-3A on 19.10.2004.

FY-2 satellite data is open for international users. User stations covered by FY-2A can receive S-VISSR high resolution digital data and WEFAX low resolution analogue data from FY-2A.