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Iran


Tyneside, UK
2025 Apr 28
Monday, Day 118

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Iran in Orbit

The list covers all of Iran's satellites that have been sent towards orbit using an indigenous launching rocket.

A mid-2008 launch. claimed by Iran to have been a success, may have been a failed attempt to orbit Omid or might genuinely have been a launch vehicle final test before the actual Omid launch. The weight of evidence is towards the former so the launch probably represents Iran's first attempt at orbit.

In addition to the launches listed here, a Safir rocket was destroyed by an on-pad explosion around 2019 August 29. There is no evidence that it occurred as the result of a launch attempt. Rather, the event occurred during preparations for launch of the Nahid satellite. For that reason it does not appear in the list.


2008-F02 - failed to reach orbit
Safir 1
Ayatollah Khomeini Space Centre, Iran
2008 Aug 17,   18:30 UTC
Omid?
Described by Iran as a dummy payload not destined for orbit but may have been the first attempt to launch Omid, a comms test satellite. Destroyed when launch vehicle reportedly exploded soon after lift-off.


2009-004
Safir 1
Ayatollah Khomeini Space Centre, Iran
2009 Feb 2,   18:34 UTC
Omid (Hope)
2009-004A
33506
Re-entered - 2009 Apr 25
Life 82 days
Demonstration satellite reportedly including 'store and forward' payload to test up and down comms links. Success reported two days after launch. Mass 27.270 kg and powered by onboard batteries which became exhausted around Feb 20. Iran stated that it ceased to operate at the time it re-entered.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2009 Feb 2, 21:0666900.0104    24338290.7755.52152


2011-025
Safir 1
Ayatollah Khomeini Space Centre, Iran
2011 Jun 15,   09:15 UTC
Rasad 1 (Observation 1)
2011-025A
37675
Re-entered - 2011 Jul 6
Life 21 days
15.3 kg microsatellite reportedly for Earth imaging with 200m resolution but imagery results not published. Equipped with gravity-gradient stabilisation boom. The launch time is an estimate ±1 minute. Indications were initially that Rasad might be launched as a dual payload with the larger, 50 kg, Fajr 1 satellite. Iran indicated testing delays with Fajr 1 so the dual launch may have been taken off the schedule.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2011 Jun 15, 19:1466450.0035    24429189.8555.6881


2012-005
Safir 1-B
Ayatollah Khomeini Space Centre, Iran
2012 Feb 3,   00:04 UTC
Navid (Navid-e-Elm va Sana't)
2012-005A
38075
Re-entered - 2012 Apr 1
Life 58 days
Imaging satellite with 400m resolution. The mass is 50kg. Intended orbit announced in advance as 250 x 375 km, 55° inclination. Early reports said the design may include an onboard thruster to circularise the orbit at 375 km but this now seems unlikely. The full name means 'Promise of Science and Industry'. February 8, Navid reportedly returned its first image.Launch time is an estimate but should be within ±1 minute, re-entered naturally 2012 Apr 1 19:09 UTC ±2 min.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2012 Feb 3, 19:3467030.0074    27637491.0356.02133


2015-006
Safir 1-B
Ayatollah Khomeini Space Centre, Iran
2015 Feb 2,   08:49 UTC
Fajr
2015-006A
40387
Re-entered - 2015 Feb 26
Life 24 days
Reportedly an electronic intelligence gathering (ELINT) satellite. Described by Iran as having an orbit adjustment thruster but there is no evidence of it being used. Project was subject to significant delays.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2015 Feb 2, 21:0667240.0181    22446891.4555.54163


2017-F04 - failed to reach orbit
Simorgh (Phoenix)
Ayatollah Khomeini Space Centre, Iran
2017 Jul 27,   09:30 UTC
Dummy payload?
Orbital test flight of the Simorgh rocket. Second stage failed.


2019-F01 - failed to reach orbit
Simorgh (Phoenix)
Ayatollah Khomeini Space Centre, Iran
2019 Jan 15 UTC
Payam
Imaging and message relay satellite aimed at 500 km, 54° inclination but a problem with the launch vehicle upper stage prevented it reaching orbit.


2019-F02 - failed to reach orbit
Safir 1-B
Ayatollah Khomeini Space Centre, Iran
2019 Feb 5 UTC
Dousti
Earth imaging satellite aimed at 500 km, 54° orbit. Launch vehicle failed about two minutes after lift-off.


2020-F01 - failed to reach orbit
Simorgh (Phoenix)
Ayatollah Khomeini Space Centre, Iran
2020 Feb 9,   15:48 UTC
Zafar (Victory)
Imaging remote sensing satellite for monitoring natural resources, agricultural and environmental developments. Also carried low-bandwidth comms and messaging system. Aimed at 540 km orbit but lost when the launch vehicle failed to impart sufficient velocity. Re-entered over Indian Ocean.


2020-024
Qased (Messenger)
Shahroud Test Centre, Dasht-e Kavir, Iran
2020 Apr 22,   03:58 UTC
Nour 1 (Light 1)
2020-024A
45529
Re-entered - 2022 Apr 13
Life 721 days
6U Cubesat - military satellite launched by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, probably for low resolution Earth imaging.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Apr 23, 06:1168100.0007    42643693.2059.81232
Qased upper stage
2020-024B
45530
Re-entered - 2023 Mar 19
Life 1061 days
Launched Nour 1.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2020 Apr 23, 07:2568140.0013    42744593.2959.80213


2021-F03 - failed to reach orbit
Simorgh (Phoenix)
Ayatollah Khomeini Space Centre, Iran
2021 Jun 12 UTC
Unidentified satellite
Lost when launch failed. Launch was reported by US Government but denied by Iran.


2021-Q01
Simorgh (Phoenix)
Ayatollah Khomeini Space Centre, Iran
2021 Dec 30,   03:30 UTC
Unknown payloads (x3)
Carried by Simorgh. Iranian launch information is unclear over whether they were intended to reach orbit - may have been used to evaluate launch vehicle performance. Re-entered, together with the upper stage, probably above the eastern Indian Ocean near Australia. Ground track probably followed that of a launch to about 55° inclination.


2022-024
Qased (Messenger)
Shahroud Test Centre, Dasht-e Kavir, Iran
2022 Mar 8,   05:05 UTC
Nour 2 (Light 2)
2022-024A
51954
Re-entered - 2024 May 17
Life 801 days
6U Cubesat - military satellite launched by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, probably for low resolution Earth imaging - purpose was announced as "reconnaissance".

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2022 Mar 8, 15:3668820.0013    49551394.7058.30238
2023 Sep 27, 09:1668220.0018    43145693.4558.2831
Qased upper stage
2022-024B
51955
in space
Launched Nour 2.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2022 Mar 8, 15:3668810.0010    49650994.6758.30248


2023-150
Qased (Messenger)
Shahroud Test Centre, Dasht-e Kavir, Iran
2023 Sep 27,   05:58 UTC
Nour 3 (Light 3)
2023-150A
57962
Re-entered - 2024 Aug 16
Life 324 days
6U Cubesat (probably) - military satellite launched by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, probably for low resolution Earth imaging. Orbit height and RAAN are similar to Nour 2 but inclination is slightly different. Launch time is an estimate derived from initial orbit data.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2023 Sep 27, 13:4768270.0010    44245693.5760.02265
Qased upper stage
2023-150B
57963
Re-entered - 2024 Dec 6
Life 436 days
Launched Nour 3.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2023 Sep 27, 13:5168320.0012    44646293.6760.02227


2024-015
Qaem 100
Shahroud Test Centre, Dasht-e Kavir, Iran
2024 Jan 20,   06:28 UTC
Soraya
2024-015A
58817
in space
Purpose unknown but may be comms related. Separated from launch vehicle at 06:40 UTC.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2024 Jan 20, 13:0671260.0012    73975699.7764.51283
Qaem 100 third stage
2024-015B
58818
in space
Launched Soraya.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2024 Jan 20, 13:0471300.0012    74476199.8764.52251


2024-018
Simorgh (Phoenix)
Ayatollah Khomeini Space Centre, Iran
2024 Jan 28,   00:02 UTC
Mahda
2024-018A
58849
in space
Small satellite testing new satellite subsystems and used to monitor the performance of the multi-satellite release system of the Simorgh launch vehicle. Catalogue Number and Designation based on information from s2a systems.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2024 Jan 28, 11:5471610.0459    4541111100.5158.69163
Keyhan 2
2024-018B
58850
in space
3U Cubesat built by Iran Electronic Industries, a company owned by the Iranian Defense Ministry. Carries a test version of a control system to allow precise stabilisation and pointing of a satellite. Catalogue Number and Designation derived from information from s2a systems - to be confirmed.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2024 Jan 28, 11:5171590.0456    4541107100.4658.70163
Hatef 1
2024-018D
58852
in space
3U Cubesat built by Iran Electronic Industries, a company owned by the Iranian Defense Ministry. Carries an internet communications payload. Catalogue Number and Designation derived from information from s2a systems - to be confirmed.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2024 Jan 28, 11:5171570.0455    4531105100.4358.68162
Simorgh second stage
2024-018C
58851
in space
Launched three satellites for Iran. Orbit, Catalogue Number and Designation initially based on information from s2a Systems. Observations by s2a show that it shed a quantity of debris on January 29 but none were catalogued by Space-Track.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2024 Jan 28, 08:3071560.0454    4541103100.4258.69162


2024-165
Quaem 100
Shahroud Test Centre, Dasht-e Kavir, Iran
2024 Sep 14,   06:30 UTC
Chamran 1
2024-165B
61072
in space
Small satellite to test an on-orbit manoeuvring system. May carry other instruments. Made ten or more small thruster firings up to October 30 when manoeuvres ceased.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2024 Sep 14, 17:1469270.0009    54355595.6364.10270
2024 Sep 23, 21:5969170.0020    52555395.4364.09302
2024 Oct 1, 00:1769220.0019    53155795.5364.10302
2024 Oct 1, 09:4369210.0016    53255495.5164.09290
2024 Oct 26, 03:3369280.0014    54056095.6564.09273
Qaem 100 second stage
2025-165A
61071
in space
Launched Chamran 1.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2024 Sep 14, 17:1969300.0008    54655795.6964.10238


2024-236
Simorgh
Ayatollah Khomeini Space Centre, Iran
2024 Dec 6,   03:13 UTC
Fakhr 1
2024-236C
62265
Re-entered - 2025 Jan 25
Life 50 days
3U Cubesat equipped with a communications test payload. Released from Saman 1 rocket stage shortly after reaching orbit. Catalogue Number and Designation to be confirmed.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2024 Dec 6, 06:1867290.0072    30240091.5658.57161
Unidentified Satellite?
2024-236D
62266
in space
Possible small satellite - purpose unknown, described as carrying a "research payload" by the Iranian government. May be the satellite intended to be carried by the Saman 1 rocket stage to 400 x 700 km orbit, released into lower orbit than planned after Saman 1 engine failed to fire. Catalogue Number and Designation to be confirmed.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2024 Dec 7, 06:4267310.0075    30340491.6058.56161
Simorgh second stage
2024-236A
62263
in space
Launched Saman 1. Catalogue Number and Designation to be confirmed.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2024 Dec 6, 06:1567330.0078    30240791.6358.54160
Saman 1 rocket stage
2024-236B
62264
in space
Launched Fakhr 1. Test/validation mission of a rocket stage/space tug capable of multiple satellite deployment. Carried an unidentified satellite intended for release into 400 x 700 km orbit. Iran reported successful spin-up of the stage, using gas jets, prior to orbit raising but the main engine appears not to have ignited.

epoch (UTC)         
s-m axis
( km )

eccentricity
perigee
( km )
apogee
( km )
period
( min )
incl 
( ° )
ω  
( ° )
2024 Dec 6, 06:1867300.0073    30240191.5858.56158




Page published: 2012 Feb 11
Subject to continual updates

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