China: Meteorological satellite Fengyun-II 08 successfully launched

China has announced that its meteorological satellite Fengyun-II 08 has been successfully launched from Xichang Satellite Centre, located in Sichuan Province, South-West China, on 31 December 2014.

The purpose of the satellite will be to collect meteorological, maritime and hydrological data. These data will be used for weather forecasting and environment monitoring.

China has already put in orbit another satellite of the same type, the Fengyun-II 07. It was launched on January 13, 2012, and is today fully operational.