Launch News Iran's third satellite now in orbit

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Back in just over a month ago, I have guessed that Iran would not attempt to launch any satellites into space in 2012. How wrong could I be. :facepalm:

The Islamic Republic of Iran has successfully launched its domestically-built Navid-e Elm-o Sanat satellite into orbit following a decree by Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Fri Feb 3, 2012 5:34AM GMT

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/224596.html

 

[SiberianTiger]

That had been known (see our pending launches plan).

http://english.iribnews.ir/newsbody.aspx?ID=17254

On November 12, Vahidi announced that Iran is set to launch into space three domestically manufactured satellites dubbed Fajr (Dawn), Navid (Harbinger) and Tolou (Rise) in the course of the current and the next Iranian calendar years.

http://pda.trend.az/en/1987574.html

The satellite was launched early today at 3:00, upon an order from president Ahmadinejad via the video-conference.

The satellite launch was timed to the Fajr celebrations and Iran's national day of space technology.

Head of Iran's National Space Agency Hamid Fazeli revealed some details about the launched satellite and its possibilities.

"A 50 kg Navid-e Elm-o Sanat is a microsatellite, with a built-in computer system that can be remotely controlled from Earth," Fazeli said. "The microsatellite is intended for photographing Earth for exact visualization."

Fazeli added that the satellite is able to take pictures on low altitudes of about 250 to 375 kilometers from the earth.

That's cool for a beginner.

 

[Cairan]

Question of time before someone mentions that it's real purpose is for strategic photo recon...

 

[SiberianTiger]

Question of time before someone mentions that it's real purpose is for strategic photo recon...

A microsatellite?

I am sure the bigger importance for Iran is to flight test its space launchers, convertible to ICBMs. And probably, the chain of infrastructure, supporting launches and space missions.

 

[RisingFury]

Am I the only person with this association?

 

[SiberianTiger]

Launch video of نوید علم و صنعت satellite:

 

[N_Molson]

It's surprising how the liftoff is slow given the small size of the rocket. I don't know what propellant they use, though. :hmm:

 

[SiberianTiger]

It's surprising how the liftoff is slow given the small size of the rocket. I don't know what propellant they use, though. :hmm:

Slow motion shooting or a video encoding problem, perhaps?

 

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Strange to see that there's no independent confirmation of launch success for such a long time after launch (my original quoted launch time was wrong: 03:00 Tehran time = 23:30 UTC on February 2nd): nothing from NORAD after 14 hours, no amateurs spotting the satellite.....

Is this thing really in orbit? Or was it a deliberate cover-up of an failure like the North Koreans did last time in 2009?

 

[Luke Skywalker]

Slow motion shooting or a video encoding problem, perhaps?

Or a failed camera.

 

[fsci123]

Back in just over a month ago, I have guessed that Iran would not attempt to launch any satellites into space in 2012. How wrong could I be. :facepalm:



http://www.presstv.ir/detail/224596.html

For some strange reason i have a feeling this maybe some sort of false story... Im just sayin... Just look at the other articles on This iranian state news website.

 

[orb]

SPACE.com: Iran Launches Small Earth-Watching Satellite Into Orbit: Report

Discovery News: Iran Launches Another Satellite

 

[SiberianTiger]

SpaceTrack.org does not always publish TLEs soon after a launch. That does not necessarily mean, however, that the object is not tracked.

 

[ky]

For some reason, I have a bad feeling about this......

 

[Hurricane]

So they can launch a 50kg satellite eastwards, some can launch a 500kg satellite westwards. Hmmm....:hmm:

That's not that big of an achievement, let's see where it goes though...

 

[mahdavi3d]

hello every one
--------

"navid" satellite
http://www.mehrnews.com/mehr_media/image/2011/02/620381_orig.jpg
http://www.mehrnews.com/mehr_media/image/2011/02/620389_orig.jpg
http://www.mehrnews.com/mehr_media/image/2011/02/620386_orig.jpg
http://www.mehrnews.com/mehr_media/image/2011/02/620385_orig.jpg
http://www.mehrnews.com/mehr_media/image/2011/02/620382_orig.jpg
http://www.mehrnews.com/mehr_media/image/2011/02/620383_orig.jpg
http://www.mehrnews.com/mehr_media/image/2011/02/620380_orig.jpg
http://www.mehrnews.com/mehr_media/image/2011/02/620379_orig.jpg
http://www.mehrnews.com/mehr_media/image/2011/02/620387_orig.jpg
http://www.mehrnews.com/mehr_media/image/2011/02/620390_orig.jpg
http://www.mehrnews.com/mehr_media/image/2011/02/620391_orig.jpg

source: mehrnews
http://www.mehrnews.com/fa/newsdetail.aspx?NewsID=1252012
--------

"Elm-o Sanat" University, (Iran University of Science & Technology - IUST), WebSite:
http://www.iust.ac.ir/home_en.php
--------

something important about this launch: safir-navid LV creates 20 percent more launch power (20% more thrust), in Comparison with previous safir LVs.

3. safir-navid --> safir-1b (upgraded new engine)
2. safir-rasad --> safir-1a
1. safir-omid --> safir-1a

3th successful "safir" rocket launch. it seems that "safir" is such a reliable launch vehicle.
as you know, 'Performance' and 'Accuracy' of the satellite itself is a nearly separate thing anyway.
--------

some images in a better quality, safir-navid LV (thanks to M-ATF {military.ir})
http://www.up98.ir/upload/server1/9qs0x3b92p8fcer2oul3.jpg
http://www.up98.ir/upload/server1/7bl2xwuf77vvvlxi7mfh.jpg
http://www.up98.ir/upload/server1/dzayc3o1e2tp9o2v350.jpg
http://www.up98.ir/upload/server1/z0yzvoooecwiv8vlg11.jpg

please some moderators move images into the gallery. thanks.

 

[SiberianTiger]

Not exactly eastwards, the reported orbit parameters are:

Inclination = 55°
Apogee = 370 km
Perigee = 250 km

 

[Hurricane]

Not exactly eastwards, the reported orbit parameters are:

Inclination = 55°
Apogee = 370 km
Perigee = 250 km

Still more eastwards than the Ofeqs! (;
Israel launches westward, so as to avoid scandals with Iran.

 

[Urwumpe]

Still more eastwards than the Ofeqs! (;
Israel launches westward, so as to avoid scandals with Iran.

And a few more scandals with other countries about dropping stages on them. :lol: Israel is really at the wrong coast for space launches.

 

[Hurricane]

And a few more scandals with other countries about dropping stages on them. :lol: Israel is really at the wrong coast for space launches.

Indeed. At least we get a PSLV ride every now and then (;

And on the main topic, any info on the purpose of the satellite? Or am I blind? :shrug: