China successfully launches meteorological satellite

BEIJING: China today successfully launched a meteorological satellite from a launchpad in southwest China's Sichuan province.

The satellite named Fengyun-II 08, launched from Xichang Satellite Launch Centre, will collect meteorological, maritime and hydrological data and transmit information that will be used for weather forecasting and environment monitoring, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Both the Long March 3A rocket, which was used to propel the satellite into space, and the satellite were made by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp.

This was the 203rd time a Long March rocket has been launched, the report said. The previous satellite, Fengyun-II 07 was launched in 2012, and worked well in orbit.