# Fengyun 1C

> Chinese weather satellite, destroyed in an anti-satellite test in 2007

**Wikidata**: [Q7468742](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7468742)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/fengyun-1c

## Summary
Fengyun 1C was a Chinese weather satellite that was launched in 1999 as part of the Fengyun satellite class. It is most notable for being destroyed on January 11, 2007, during a Chinese anti-satellite missile test. The satellite originally served as a meteorological platform before its destruction in orbit.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Fengyun class weather satellite
- **Launch Date:** May 10, 1999
- **Launch Vehicle:** Long March 4B orbital carrier rocket
- **Launch Site:** Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 25730
- **COSPAR ID:** 1999-025A
- **Destruction Date:** January 11, 2007
- **Cause of Destruction:** 2007 Chinese anti-satellite missile test
- **Entity Identifiers:** Wolfram Language Entity "25730"; Google Knowledge Graph ID /g/125n23h6l

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary function of Fengyun 1C?
A: Fengyun 1C was a meteorological satellite designed for weather monitoring. It was part of China's Fengyun series of weather satellites and operated in orbit from its launch in 1999 until its destruction in 2007.

### Q: How was Fengyun 1C destroyed?
A: The satellite was destroyed on January 11, 2007, during a significant military demonstration known as the 2007 Chinese anti-satellite missile test. A missile was used to intercept and shatter the satellite while it was in orbit.

### Q: What launch vehicle was used for Fengyun 1C?
A: Fengyun 1C was carried into space by a Long March 4B rocket. The launch took place at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center.

## Why It Matters
Fengyun 1C is a significant entity in the history of space exploration and international security. Initially, it represented a component of China's growing meteorological capabilities, contributing to the Fengyun class of weather satellites. However, its historical relevance shifted permanently in 2007. 

The intentional destruction of Fengyun 1C during an anti-satellite (ASAT) missile test marked a pivotal moment in space operations. This event demonstrated the technical capability to intercept orbiting objects from the ground but also resulted in the creation of a vast cloud of orbital debris. This debris has been a subject of ongoing concern for space situational awareness and the safety of other orbiting spacecraft. The satellite's transition from a functional weather tool to a high-profile target of a military test makes it a primary case study in the discussion of space debris and the weaponization of space.

## Notable For
- **Target of ASAT Test:** It was the specific target used in the 2007 Chinese anti-satellite missile test.
- **Debris Generation:** Its destruction created a significant and well-documented field of orbital debris.
- **Long March 4B Mission:** It was a primary payload for the Long March 4B, a Chinese orbital carrier rocket.
- **Encyclopedic Recognition:** The satellite is specifically indexed in the Encyclopædia Britannica under the topic Fengyun-1C.

## Body

### Launch and Mission Profile
Fengyun 1C was launched on May 10, 1999, from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in China. It was deployed using a Long March 4B carrier rocket. As a member of the Fengyun class, its primary mission was to provide meteorological data and weather observations.

### Technical Specifications
The satellite is identified in various tracking databases by the following technical markers:
*   **SCN:** 25730
*   **COSPAR ID:** 1999-025A
*   **Wolfram Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "25730"]

### 2007 Anti-Satellite Test
On January 11, 2007, the operational status of Fengyun 1C ended when it was used as the target for a Chinese anti-satellite missile test. The kinetic impact resulted in the total destruction of the satellite. 

### Legacy and Documentation
Following its destruction, Fengyun 1C became a major reference point for orbital debris studies. Visual documentation of the resulting fragments exists, such as the "Fengyun-1C debris" image hosted by Wikimedia Commons. The event is classified as a "significant event" in the satellite's history alongside its initial rocket launch.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report