FENGYUN 4A
Fengyun-4A is a Chinese new-generation geostationary meteorological satellite launched in 2016. It introduced improved imaging, sounding and lightning-observation capabilities.
Object identity
- NORAD ID
- 41882
- COSPAR ID
- 2016-077A
- Operator
- Not listed
- Country
- Not listed
- Launch date
- Not listed
Immediate discovery
Why this satellite matters
Lightning mapping converts rapid optical flashes into geolocated event data, helping reveal storm structure and intensification.
Understanding the mission
Science and engineering ideas
Lightning mapping converts rapid optical flashes into geolocated event data, helping reveal storm structure and intensification.
Mission
Mission and purpose
Weather spacecraft carry instruments that observe Earth and its atmosphere in visible, infrared, microwave, or other wavelengths. Different orbits provide either repeated regional views or broad global coverage.
- Lightning mapping converts rapid optical flashes into geolocated event data, helping reveal storm structure and intensification.
Design
Engineering
Lightning mapping converts rapid optical flashes into geolocated event data, helping reveal storm structure and intensification.
Real orbital values
The mathematics
The current two-line element set reports approximately 1.0027 revolutions per day. Dividing 1,440 minutes by that value gives an estimated orbital period of 1,436.1 minutes.
Period
1,436.1 min
Representative speed
11,069 km/h
Representative altitude
35,795 km
Inclination
2.55°
Launch record
Launch and deployment
Fengyun-4A launched on 10 December 2016 local date aboard a Long March 3B from Xichang Satellite Launch Center.
Orbit
GEO orbit explained
A geosynchronous satellite takes about one sidereal day to orbit Earth. A circular equatorial geostationary satellite appears to remain near one longitude in the sky.
GEO is valuable when continuous coverage of a broad region matters, although the great distance increases signal delay and reduces image detail compared with lower orbits.
Live TransitSatellite experience
See FENGYUN 4A moving now
Open the live tracker to view its current calculated position, trajectory, orbital information, visibility tools, and Save and Share controls.
Learning
Questions to explore
- Why can infrared instruments observe clouds at night?
- What is the difference between continuous regional coverage and global coverage?
Evidence
Sources and data notes
Current identity and orbital elements come from CelesTrak’s public GP data. Calculated orbit values are derived from the current TLE and may change after catalog updates. Mission-history claims are added separately and require authoritative sources.
Catalog updated
Sep 17, 2026, 8:52 AM UTC
Story review
1970-01-01T00:00:00.000Z