China's new generation Fengyun-3A weather satellite started its round-the-clock operations on Monday, according to the China National Space Administration (CNSA).

CNSA director Sun Laiyan said the transfer of the satellite to the China Meteorological Administration marked the birth of China's new generation of polar-orbiting weather satellites.

The Fengyun-3 series of satellites were China's second generation of Polar-Orbiting Meteorological Satellites, which were able to provide global 3-dimensional atmospheric thermal image.

Their technology supports short-range weather forecasting and real-time monitoring of meteorological or hydrological disasters. They can also provide data to support research on global climate change.

The Fengyun-3A, together with the Fengyun-1D and Fengyun-2C, D and E, will form a satellite system to offer global around-the-clock weather monitoring.

(Xinhua News Agency January 13, 2009)