TAIYUAN, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- China successfully launched a meteorological satellite into orbit at 11:07 a.m. Monday, Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center said.

The third Fengyun-III satellite, carried by a Long March-4C carrier rocket, will join the previous two which are in orbit to boost China's weather monitoring capabilities.

The three Fengyun-III weather satellites, the country's second generation polar orbiting meteorological satellites, are useful in monitoring natural disasters and the eco-environment. They also provide meteorological information for global climate change studies as well as aviation and navigation.

The network of satellites will also shorten the updating hours of medium-range weather forecasting from 12 to six.

The first and second Fengyun-III were launched in May 2008 and November 2010 respectively.

This marks the 181st launch carried by a Long March rocket, according to the center.