The SY-400’s military requirements also make it ideal for stormhunting; its fast speed allows it to quickly drop sensor payloads to get a near simultaneous reading of typhoon conditions, and it flies high above any damaging stormwinds. Hurricane studying drones like NASA’s Global Hawk may have longer on station time, but have a smaller field of view, being limited to only onboard sensors. During its six minute flight, the SY-400 rocket dropped radiosonde sensor payloads into the typhoon’s eye and thunderstorm rainbands, which transmitted a wealth of scientific data from different parts of the typhoon. You may also be interested in: Chinese Laser Zaps Space, for World Peace SY-400 Guided Rocket Makes TV Debut
