Abstract: FY-3 is the second generation polar orbiting meteorological satellite series of China. The first satellite named FY3A of this series was launched from Taiyuan in Shanxi Province at 03:02 UTC on 27 May 2008.The new generation satellites series are to provide three-dimensional, quantitative,multi spectrum global remote sensing data under all weather conditions,which will greatly help the operational numerical weather prediction，global change research，climate diagnostics and prediction，and natural disasters monitoring.They will also provide help for many other fields such as agriculture，forestry，stock raising, oceanography, hydrology and so on. Observations from all of the 11 instruments aboard this satellite are broadcast on L and X bands. Ground receiving stations operated by National Satellite Meteorological Center (NSMC) receive the data from FY-3A and then send the data to Center of Data Processing and Service (CDPS) at NSMC in Beijing routinely. The remote sensing data are processed by using various algorithms and different kinds of products are generated routinely with the high-speed computers and networks of NSMC. The data and products are available to users worldwide. The trial run of FY-3A took about six months following its launch. FY-3A has been officially in operation since January 2009. This paper introduces the FY-3A platform, data transmission, payloads, and products. Major technical peculiarity and application examples are given as well.