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Iranian research satellite launched into orbit
In the early hours of Saturday, the satellite was put into orbit at an altitude of 550 kilometers (341 miles) above the Earth’s surface onboard a homegrown Qaem-100 space launch vehicle (SLV).
Qaem-100 is a three-stage SLV with solid fuel developed by the Aerospace Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC).
Several hours into the launch, the Iranian research satellite sent its first signals.
Chamran-1 satellite has been designed and manufactured by Iranian technicians at the space division of Iran Electronics Industries (SAIran), a state-owned subsidiary of Iran’s Ministry of Defense, in conjunction with experts at the Aerospace Research Institute (ARI) and private knowledge-based firms.
Weighing approximately 60 kilograms, the primary mission of the Iranian research satellite is to test hardware and software systems for orbital maneuver technology validation.
The satellite also has secondary tasks, including assessing the performance of cold gas propulsion subsystems in space systems, and performance evaluation of navigation and attitude control subsystems.
Despite sanctions imposed by Western countries in recent years, Iran has taken giant strides in the civilian space program.
Iran has faced crippling Western sanctions for years, especially after the US, under then-President Donald Trump, unilaterally abandoned a landmark nuclear deal between Tehran and major powers in 2018.
However, it has been advancing its aerospace activities, insisting they are peaceful and in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions.
The country is now among the world’s top 10 nations capable of developing and launching satellites.
Earlier this year, Iran successfully sent the homegrown Mahda research satellite, along with two research cargoes, to space onboard the domestically developed Simorgh (Phoenix) satellite launch vehicle (SLV).
Mahda weighs 32 kilograms and its primary task is to test the satellite-related subsystems, verify the function of Simorgh SLV in dispensing space cargoes, and evaluate the performance of new designs and the reliability of indigenous technologies in space. Earlier, the Aerospace Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) successfully put the Soraya satellite into an orbit 750 kilometers above Earth in 11 minutes.
The research satellite, manufactured by the ISA, was launched with a Qaem-100 space launch vehicle (SLV).