- Safir (rocket)
infobox rocket
caption = Safir rocket
name = Safir
function = LEOlaunch vehicle
manufacturer =Iranian Space Agency
country-origin =Iran
height = 22m
diameter = 1.25m
mass = 26,000kg
stages = 2 (earlier reports saying 3)
capacities = Infobox rocket/Payload
location = Suborpital
kilos = unknown Infobox rocket/Payload
location =LEO
kilos = unknown
family =Shahab ?
status = In Development
sites = Iran Space Center
launches = Suborbital: 1 or 2
Orbital: 1 (TBC)
success = Suborbital: 1 or 2
Orbital: 1
fail = 0
first = Suborbital:February 25 ,2007 orFebruary 4 ,2008
Orbital:2008-08-17 The Safircite web|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSHAF75296620080817|title=Iran launches first home-made satellite into space|date=2008-08-17|accessdate=2008-08-17|language=English|publisher=Reuters] (Persian: "Messenger") is the name of the first
Iran ianexpendable launch vehicle that is able to place a satellite in orbit. A sub-orbital test flight, named "Kavoshgar-1" (Persian: کاوشگر ۱, "Explorer-1"), was conducted onFebruary 4 ,2008 , as announced by state-run television. A launch onFebruary 25 ,2007 , may also have been of the same type. The first flights carried instruments to measure the higheratmosphere . The rocket launched on February 4, 2008 was a liquid propellant driven rocket, probably a derivative of theShahab-3 , that reached an altitude of 200-250 km inspace , and successfully returned science data according to the Iranian News Agency.On
February 19 ,2008 , Iran offered new information about the rocket and announced that "Kavoshgar-1" used a two staged rocket. [ [http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=43849§ionid=351020101 Press TV - Iran provides space launch info] ] The first stage separated after 100 seconds and returned to earth with the help of a parachute. The second stage continued its ascent to the altitude of 200 kilometres. However it was not intended to reach orbital velocity.Earlier reports by the Iranian News Agency suggested that Kavoshgar-1 used a three staged rocket with the first stage separating after 90 seconds and the rocket reaching an orbit between 200 and 250 kilometres. [ [http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/ap-080211-iran-two-satellites.html Iran to Launch 2 More Research Rockets Before Placing Satellite into Orbit This Summer] , Space.com] [ [http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/ap-080217-iran-rocket-science.html Iran's Research Rocket Beams Back Science Data] , Space.com]
The successful development and launch of a sounding-space-
rocket was already announced a year earlier, on February 25, 2007. It is unknown if theSounding Rocket launched on February 25, 2007, and the rocket launched on February 4, 2008, are of the same type.Iran announced plans to send two more rockets into space during summer 2008 and four more satellites until 2010.
Operational history
On
17 August 2008 , Iranian officials reported that a Safir was launched successfully without a payload, in preparation for the launch of Iran's first indigenously launched satellite, Omid. [citeweb|title=Iran launches satellite carrier |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/7566804.stm|publisher="BBC News "|accessdate=2008-08-17] . Reza Taghizadeh, head of the Iranian Aerospace Organization, told state television "The Safir (Ambassador) satellite carrier was launched today and for the first time we successfully launched a dummy satellite into orbit". [citeweb|title=Iran says it has put first dummy satellite in orbit |url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080817/wl_nm/iran_satellite_dc_4|publisher="Reuters "|accessdate=2008-08-18] As it was announced by Iran, a dummy satellite was put into a 650 kmLEO passing over Iran six times every 24 hours. [cite web|url=http://www2.irna.ir/ch/news/view/line-52/0808167168204858.htm|title =伊朗将于下周发射自主生产的卫星 |publisher=伊通社 |date=2008-08-16|accessmonthday=August 18|accessyear=2008] [ [http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8705270595 Iran Sends First Satellite into Orbit ] ] International confirmation of this fact is expected.Alleged failure
According to an American official, "The vehicle failed shortly after liftoff and in no way reached its intended position." [http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN1935578420080819] Video of the liftoff of the rocket was shown on Iranian state television. [http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=UYGMXXD33H0] Iranian officials released a statement denouncing the allegations as propaganda and stated the Iran would would soon launch the Omid satellite. [http://www.presstv.ir]
Further development
The development of a two- or three-staged rocket to reach space and deploy a satellite (called Omid) is planned by the
Iranian Space Agency . Its current capacity is unknown but Iran announced the development of aShahab-4 for transport of satellites into orbit. A possible stage-configuration of a current or future multiple-stage rocket, was assumed byGlobalSecurity.org analysts in February, 2007. This stage-configuration would consist of the following:
*A first-stage, possibly with added solid rocket boosters
*A second-stage using aSAM-2 propulsion system
*A solid rocket motor third-stage-->ee also
*
Iranian Space Agency
*Iran's missile forces
*Shahab-1
*Shahab-2
*Shahab-3
*Shahab-4 References
External links
* [http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/ap-080217-iran-rocket-science.html Iran's Research Rocket Beams Back Science Data] , Space.com
* [http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/ap-080204-iran-satellite-launch.html Iran Launches Rocket, Unveils Space Center] , Space.com
* [http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewnews.html?id=1197 Iran's Sputnik] , SpaceRef.com
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6394387.stm Iran rocket claim raises tension] , BBC
* [http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2007/02/697D9B52-7021-4A62-86F6-F320D4B6B0F9.html Iran: Rocket Launch Another Show Of Prowess] , RadioFreeEurope RadioLiberty
* [http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/FF82939E-AB77-4219-BC19-56C5D9951E9E.htm Iran claims space rocket launch] , AlJazeera
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7225699.stm Iranians inaugurate space project] , BBC
* [http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/ap-080211-iran-two-satellites.html Iran to Launch 2 More Research Rockets Before Placing Satellite into Orbit This Summer] , onSpace.com
* [http://www.alalam.ir/english/en-NewsPage.asp?newsid=031030120080817185546 Iran Launches Indigenous Carrier Rocket]
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