Iran Successfully Launches Fakhr-1 Satellite into Orbit
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Iran's Army successfully launched the Fakhr-1 satellite into orbit using the domestically developed Simorgh satellite carrier on Friday, achieving a significant milestone in the country’s space program.
The launch took place early in the morning, with Simorgh, a two-stage liquid-fueled rocket, deploying the satellite into low Earth orbit (LEO). Shortly after entering orbit, the Fakhr-1 transmitted its first signals to ground stations.
This mission marked a new national record, as the Simorgh carried a combined payload weight of 300 kilograms, which included the Fakhr-1, the Saman-1 orbital transfer block, and an additional research payload. The Simorgh remains Iran’s only launcher capable of placing such payloads into LEO.
One of the launch's key achievements was the precise injection of the payload into orbit, with a velocity tolerance of less than 0.1%, achieving a speed of 7,754 meters per second.
The Simorgh rocket, weighing approximately 80 tons, featured a first-stage burn time of 105 seconds, a second-stage burn time of 340 seconds, and achieved an injection speed of 7,754 meters per second.
The Fakhr-1 nanosatellite, weighing under 10 kilograms and measuring three cubic units (3U), was designed and built in collaboration with the Iranian Army, SA Iran Corporation, and Malek Ashtar University of Technology.
Named in honor of the late scientist Dr. Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, its primary mission is to validate key technologies for cube satellite constellations.
The satellite also supports Iran’s broader objective of advancing multi-payload launches using the Simorgh.
Key subsystems, including a central computer, power management, radio communications, and flight dynamics modules, were locally developed and launched for the first time.
Following its separation from the launcher, the Fakhr-1 successfully transmitted telemetry data from its onboard sensors and subsystems. Ground stations confirmed that the satellite received and executed commands during its initial pass, with subsequent telemetry confirming its stabilization in orbit.
This mission further positions Iran as a regional leader in space technology, focusing on imaging and electromagnetic spectrum monitoring capabilities for future satellite missions.
