Exhibition on achievements of Iran's latest space technologies

Above: ARI displayed full-scale mockup of Iran's manned space capsule 

In a 17FEB15 ceremony to mark Space Technology Day in Tehran,  Iran unveiled a mockup prototype of its first domestically manufactured space capsule intended at putting an Iranian astronaut into earth orbit.

The space capsule mockup, built to 1:1 scale, was put on display in an exhibition on achievements of Iran's latest space technologies.

According to Iranian aerospace officials, the spacecraft is planned for launch sometime during the next Iranian year, which starts on 21MAR15. [source: Tasnim News Agency]

Astronautics Research Institute (ARI) displayed full-scale mockup of manned space capsule

Astronaut mannequin fitted inside ARI displayed manned space capsule mockup

Earlier, President Rouhani discussed the restructuring of Iran's space program that now places the Space Agency and its corresponding research center in the Ministry of Communications. [click HERE]

Also, Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mahmoud Vaezi announced the first 10-year development plant of Iran's space program’s has reached the end of its testing stage, with the second 10-year (development) plan commencing to implement more applied usages of space technology. [click HERE]

ARI displayed manned space capsule mockup flanked by what appear to be previously launched Kavoshgar return capsules.

Scale models of Kavoshgar ("Explorer") rockets, the eighth to right depicting Kavoshgar-e Pazhuhesh

Scale model of a Kavoshgar ("Explorer") rocket

VIDEO:

Photos:
Majid Asgaripour at Mehr News Agency
Ismaic Republic News Agency
Presiudent.ir / Mashreghnews.ir

ISA Fajr launch at Semnan Satellite Launch Center

Above: ISA launch of IEI Fajr satellite at Semnan Satellite Launch Center

At the commencement of the 10 Day Dawn Cellebration, on 02FEB15 the Iranian Space Agency (ISA) successfully launched an Iran Electronics Industry Fajr ("Dawn") satellite into orbit using a Safir ("Ambassador") space launch vehicle (SLV) at Semnan Satellite Launch Center.

Observers had been led to expect Iran's latest launch was to utilize a larger SLV from the Imam Khomeini Space Launch Center but this was not the case. A number of observers had even mistakenly concluded the Iran space program was dead due to financial constraints. Once again the Iranians demonstrate a capacity to surprise.

The Fajr satellite is claimed to possess a cold gas thruster system, enabling an increase in lifespan to ~1.5 years. It also features a new generation of solar panels that better withstand high pressure and temperatures. It represents a lifted payload of 50 kgs, to an apogee of ~450 km.

Purpose of the Fajr satellite is the "taking and transmitting high-quality and accurate pictures to stations on earth". The satellite also uses an indigenous GPS-type  specialized celestial positioning system.

The IEI Fajr satellite can be tracked in real time HERE.

ISA Safir ("Ambassador") space launch vehicle (SLV) at Semnan Satellite Launch Center

ISA Safir at the launch pad, prior to launch. Note transporter erector launcher (TEL) at bottom right, more typically performing transport and launch duties for Shahab 3 type MRBMs.

The Iran Electronics Industry Fajr ("Dawn") satellite

For a sense of scale, Fajr satellite prototype depicted at far right

IRINN VIDEO:

Photos:

Islamic Republic News Agency

Vahid Reza Alaei at Fars News Agency

Iran Launches New Satellite into Space

Iran today launched a new satellite into space. Fajr (“Dawn”) was put into elliptical orbit of 250 to 400 kilometers aboard Safir satellite launch vehicle (SLV), becoming the fourth Iranian satellite launched into space. The Iranian media reported that the new satellite is equipped with micro-motors that provide it orbit-changing capability.

Iran launched its first satellite, Omid (“Hope”) in 2009, and sent its first bio-capsule containing living creatures into space in 2010. The director of Iran Space Agency, Hamid Fazeli, announced last October that Iran will launch three satellites into space (Fajr, Tadbir and Sharif) in the current Iranian calendar year, which ends on 20 March.

File photo: Safir SLV (Press TV)

Dome of Mina planetarium center at Tehran, newly constructed

Newly constructed Dome of Mina featuring a full-dome 3D planetarium, located in the Abbasabad neighborhood of Tehran.

Detail of oversize Persian Astrolabe situated on the grounds of Dome of Mina planetarium center

Exquisite architectural detail of Dome of Mina planetarium center, claimed largest in the Middle East. (Note IRGC colonel walking the grounds.)

Daylight observation through a telescope situated on the grounds of Dome of Mina planetarium center

Interior detail of Dome of Mina planetarium center

At the planetarium's formal opening, Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and a number of officials from Iran's Space Agency (ISA) adjust their 3D glasses in anticipation of planetarium program.

Seated viewers of Dome of Mina planetarium 3D program

Sample imagery of 3D planetarium program (1)

Sample imagery of 3D planetarium program (2)

Sample imagery of 3D planetarium program (3)

Distance view, grounds of Dome of Mina planetarium center

Photos: Hadi Hirbodvash at Mehr News Agency

Kavoshgar-e Pazhuhesh space rocket info video

Iranian Space Agency (ISA) and Astronautics Research Institute (ARI) info video on Iran's recently launched Kavoshgar-e Pazhuhesh space rocket. Video includes animation, telemetry and background details for the Kavoshgar-e Pazhuhesh space rocket program.

H/T and special thanks to "JF" at IMF.

Iran to Launch New Satellites into Orbit

Iran is reportedly prepared to put three new satellites into orbit in near future. Mohammad Shariatmadari, the executive deputy to Iran’s president, made the announcement today.

“God willing, Tadbir, Sharif Sat and Fajr satellites are all in the final stages and ready to be launched,” Shariatmadari said (Fars News Agency, 11 January). Shariatmadari did not provide a date for the launch.

Omid was the first indigenously launched Iranian satellite sent into orbit in 2009. It completed more than 700 orbits over seven weeks before reentering the Earth's atmosphere successfully.

Omid and subsequent satellites launched used Safir satellite launch vehicle (SLV) and its upgraded variant. Shariatmadari did not say if Safir SLV would be used to launch these satellites as well. Iran has been developing a new generation SLV called Simorgh, with superior booster capabilities.

Iran has also successfully launched monkeys into space. Last December, Fargam the monkey was launched and returned safely to earth after a 15-minute rocket ride. Iran used its Kavoshgar rocket for the launch.


File photo: Safir satellite launch vehicle (SLV) / Fars News Agency 

Kavoshgar-e Pazhuhesh space rocket

Kavoshgar-e Pazhuhesh rocket successfully launches biological payload into space, from Semnan Space Center, Dec. 14, 2013.

Kavoshgar-e Pazhuhesh sounding rocket derived from Shahab 1/2 SRBM series

Biological payload consists of female primate named  "Fagram"

Fagram strapped inside Kavoshgar-e Pazhuhesh space capsule

Composite of in-flight images received from Kavoshgar-e Pazhuhesh

Kavoshgar-e Pazhuhesh capsule upon landing back to earth

Detail of Kavoshgar-e Pazhuhesh capsule, after successful returning its live primate passenger back to earth

Bell 214 medium-lift helicopter recovers Kavoshgar-e Pazhuhesh capsule

Flight scenario illustration provided by official Kavoshgar site

For more information on the Kavoshgar space rocket program (in Persian), click HERE.

Photos: IRNA, ISNA, FARS News Agency and ari.ac.ir

Iran Sends Monkey to Space – Video

Iran said it has sent a monkey to space in a move toward an eventual human space mission. In today’s experiment, Fargam the monkey reached the height of 120 km. After 15 minutes into the flight, the mission control released the monkey in a parachute capsule. Fargam the monkey was recovered safely. Scientists say they were measuring the monkey's physical state following the flight.  (IRIB, 14 December)

Video: The Guardian

IRGC: Iran Can Build ICBMs, But ‘No Need’

IRGC Aerospace Commander Brig. Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh said today in Mashhad that Iran has the capability and technology for the production of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). The general added, however, that Iran does not see “any need” for their production.

“We were able to send a satellite into orbit, because we have this technology. But since Iran's enemies are not far from the border, we do not consider it necessary to face high costs and build such missiles,” Hajizadeh said. (Fars News Agency/Trend, 10 October)

Hajizadeh was referring to Safir, the country’s first expendable space launch vehicle (SLV) that has already placed satellites into orbit. The latest was the launch of Navid satellite into space in February 2012. Safir’s technology could be used to develop an ICBM.

By “not far from border,” the IRGC missile chief was referring to Israel as well as U.S. installations and assets in the Persian Gulf as potential targets. Iran currently has medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBMs) that can reach those targets. Shahab-3, Sejjil-2, and Ashura are the country’s advanced MRBMs.

The ballistic missiles were originally designed to carry nuclear warheads. The Iranian military is deploying them as the primary means of conventional retaliatory attack, making them less credible as a retaliatory force.

File photo: Safir SLV (Mehr News Agency)