News / Defense

Iran successfully launches 3 satellites into orbit

Sunday, 28 January 2024 6:18 AM [ Last Update: Sunday, 28 January 2024 8:21 AM ]

Iran successfully puts three homegrown satellites into orbit on January 28, 2024.

Iran has successfully put three homegrown satellites into orbit with a minimum altitude of 450 kilometers and a maximum of 1,100 kilometers above the Earth's surface.

Mahda, Keyhan-2 and Hatef-1 satellites were launched from Imam Khomeini Space Launch Terminal in Semnan Province on Sunday by the Simorgh (Phoenix) satellite launch vehicle, which is manufactured by the Iranian Defense Ministry.

Mahda is a research satellite designed, manufactured, assembled and tested at the Iranian Space Research Center. Weighing 32 kilograms, it is a lightweight satellite developed to test advanced satellite subsystems.

For the first time, three Iranian satellites, Mahda, Payam, and Hatef, were successfully launched simultaneously into an 1110-kilometer orbit by Simorgh Satellite carrier. pic.twitter.com/9o5JKNNx9w
— Press TV (@PressTV) January 28, 2024

Mahda’s main task is to assess the performance of the Simorgh launcher in multiple injections of space cargo in low altitudes, as well as evaluate new designs and the reliability of indigenous technologies in space.

Keyhan-2 and Hatef-1 nanosatellites were also designed and developed for launch by Iran Electronics Industries, a state-owned subsidiary of the Defense Ministry.

Both are cubic nanosatellites weighing less than 10 kilograms.

Keyhan-2 is developed for space-based positioning. It has status determination and control subsystems to aim stably and precisely towards the Earth.

Video shows Iranian satellite carrier Simorgh being transferred to its launch pad to carry Mahda, Payam, and Hatef satellites into an 1110-kilometer orbit. pic.twitter.com/bHKnBXNNmq
— Press TV (@PressTV) January 28, 2024

Hatef-1 seeks proving the use of narrowband communication technology in the internet of things (IoT).

Despite sanctions imposed by Western countries in recent years, Iran has managed to take giant strides in the civilian space program.

It is among the world’s top 10 countries capable of developing and launching satellites.

Last week, the Aerospace Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) launched Soraya satellite into orbit using Qaem 100 satellite carrier.

Video shows the Iranian satellite carrier Simorgh and satellite Mahda being prepared and checked at the pre-launch stage. pic.twitter.com/rk4ufATD08
— Press TV (@PressTV) January 28, 2024

Iran’s Telecoms Minister Issa Zarepour said that for the first time, Simorgh simultaneously put Mahda satellite and two other research payloads into orbit, adding that Mahda's signal was received.

“I congratulate this important achievement to the beloved people and space experts, especially my colleagues at the Iranian Space Research Center and the Defense Ministry,” he noted.

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