Iran's Artificial Satellites: History and Achievements

Iranian Satellites History, Production & Launches

Indigenous Capabilities and Orbital Durations

• Introduction to Artificial Satellites
• Iran's Space Program Overview
• Key Milestones in Iranian Launches
• Iranian Satellites Launch Details
• Safir Rocket and Launches
• Launch Methods and Orbital Durations
• Conclusion

1

Introduction to Artificial Satellites

Definition, Uses, and Types

---

Photo by Jakub Dziubak on Unsplash

• Artificial object (spacecraft) placed in orbit around Earth or other bodies
• Key uses: Communication relay, weather forecasting, GPS navigation, broadcasting, scientific research, Earth observation, military applications
• Power sources: Solar panels or RTGs
• Communication: Transponders to ground stations
• Common types: CubeSats, constellations for global coverage

3

Iran's Space Program

Indigenous Satellites and Launches

2005: Sina-1 First Iranian-built satellite, launched by Russia (Kosmos-3M rocket) 2009-02-02: Omid First domestically produced and launched satellite (Safir rocket); 27 kg cube satellite, LEO apogee 245 km, store-and-forward telecom, operated ~2 months 2011-06-15: Rasad-1 Imaging microsatellite (22 kg); launched by Safir, LEO ~250 km, several months operation 2012-02-24: Fajr Multi-purpose research satellite; Safir rocket, elliptical LEO ~500 km, long operational duration with propulsion test 2020-04-22: Noor-1 Military imaging satellite; Qased rocket (IRGC), Sun-synchronous orbit 425 km, ongoing 2022-03-08: Noor-2 Second military imaging satellite; Qased rocket, SSO ~500 km, ongoing

• Launched first indigenous satellite Omid on 2009-02-02 from Semnan Space Center
• Two-stage liquid-fueled rocket, derived from Shahab-3 ballistic missile tech
• Payload capacity ~350 kg to LEO
• Enabled Iran to become 9th nation with independent orbital launch capability
• Overcoming international sanctions through domestic development

---

Photo by NASA on Unsplash

• Launch: Multi-stage rockets from sites like Semnan (Iran)
• Process: Reach ~7.8 km/s velocity, altitude >200km to avoid drag
• Iran's Rockets: Safir (2-stage, ~350kg LEO), Qased (3-stage)
• Orbits: LEO (low, short life ~months), Geostationary (high, stationary)
• Durations: LEO satellites decay in weeks/months unless propelled; Iran's early sats ~2-3 months

Iran has successfully produced and launched multiple artificial satellites using indigenous rockets like Safir and Qased. Key satellites from Omid (2009, ~2 months) to Noor-2 (2022, ongoing) demonstrate advanced capabilities in research, imaging, and military applications despite sanctions.

Thank you! Questions?

4

Types of Orbits

LEO, GEO, and More

---

Photo by NASA on Unsplash

> Satellites have transformed our world, enabling global connectivity and observation.

— Wikipedia on Satellites