Iran successfully launched three of its satellites using the Simorgh two-stage carrier rocket, which the Ministry of Defence of Iran designed. The ISNA agency communicated this information.
The Mahda satellite, which weighs 32 kilogrammes, and two nanosatellites, Kayhan-2 and Hatef-1, which weigh less than 10 kilogrammes each, were launched into orbit at an altitude of 450 kilometres, as stated by the information provided by the organisation. The Iranian Space Research Centre was responsible for developing the Mahda spacecraft, designed to test the carrier rocket’s accuracy in carrying cargo to orbit. The two nanosatellites aim to experiment with narrowband communication systems and geopositioning.
In introducing the “Simorgh-1” missile, a two-stage liquid-fueled missile, the Iranian Space Agency announced that the primary goal of the Mahda satellite is to “examine the accuracy of the Simorgh missile’s performance in multiple injections.”
Several Iranian space launch vehicles are part of Iran’s space programme, including Saffir-1, Simeorgh (Saffir-2), and Zoljanah. The Saffir-1 launcher, equipped with a two-stage liquid-fueled system, could transport payloads weighing up to sixty kilograms to an elliptical orbit that measured two hundred and fifty kilometres. The Saffir-1 spacecraft has been taken out of service after at least four unsuccessful and four successful launches over the past year.
The two-stage liquid-fueled Simorgh satellite launcher is categorised in the next category. It can deliver payloads of up to 250 kilograms to an orbit that is 500 kilometres in orbit. Since 2016, this satellite launcher has been undertaking flight testing, and it has been established that satellites produced in Iran have been present in some of the launches it has conducted. However, until the latest launch, this satellite launcher had not successfully put any of its payloads into orbit.
Additionally, the Aerospace Industries Organisation of the Ministry of Defence has introduced the Zoljanah satellite launcher as the most recent product in this field. The Zuljanah launcher comprises two initial solid fuel stages and a third liquid fuel stage. Except for the initial test launch that occurred in 2020, there have been no subsequent updates regarding this carrier after that time.
