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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 | |
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| 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. |
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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
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| 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, 21:06 | 6690 | 0.0104 | 243 | 382 | 90.77 | 55.52 | 152 | | | |
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
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| 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, 19:14 | 6645 | 0.0035 | 244 | 291 | 89.85 | 55.68 | 81 | | | |
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
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| 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, 19:34 | 6703 | 0.0074 | 276 | 374 | 91.03 | 56.02 | 133 | | | |
2015-006 Safir 1-B
Ayatollah Khomeini Space Centre, Iran | 2015 Feb 2, 08:49 UTC | |
Re-entered - 2015 Feb 26
Life 24 days
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| 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, 21:06 | 6724 | 0.0181 | 224 | 468 | 91.45 | 55.54 | 163 | | | |
2017-F04 - failed to reach orbit Simorgh (Phoenix)
Ayatollah Khomeini Space Centre, Iran | 2017 Jul 27, 09:30 UTC | |
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| Orbital test flight of the Simorgh rocket. Second stage failed. |
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2019-F01 - failed to reach orbit Simorgh (Phoenix)
Ayatollah Khomeini Space Centre, Iran | 2019 Jan 15 UTC | |
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| Imaging and message relay satellite aimed at 500 km, 54° inclination but a problem with the launch vehicle upper stage prevented it reaching orbit. |
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2019-F02 - failed to reach orbit Safir 1-B
Ayatollah Khomeini Space Centre, Iran | 2019 Feb 5 UTC | |
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| Earth imaging satellite aimed at 500 km, 54° orbit. Launch vehicle failed about two minutes after lift-off. |
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2020-F01 - failed to reach orbit Simorgh (Phoenix)
Ayatollah Khomeini Space Centre, Iran | 2020 Feb 9, 15:48 UTC | |
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| 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. |
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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
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| 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, 06:11 | 6810 | 0.0007 | 426 | 436 | 93.20 | 59.81 | 232 | | | | Qased upper stage 2020-024B 45530 |
Re-entered - 2023 Mar 19
Life 1061 days
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| Launched Nour 1. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis
( km ) |
eccentricity | perigee
( km ) | apogee
( km ) | period
( min ) | incl
( ° ) | ω
( ° ) | | |
| 2020 Apr 23, 07:25 | 6814 | 0.0013 | 427 | 445 | 93.29 | 59.80 | 213 | | | |
2021-F03 - failed to reach orbit Simorgh (Phoenix)
Ayatollah Khomeini Space Centre, Iran | 2021 Jun 12 UTC | |
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| Lost when launch failed. Launch was reported by US Government but denied by Iran. |
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2021-Q01 Simorgh (Phoenix)
Ayatollah Khomeini Space Centre, Iran | 2021 Dec 30, 03:30 UTC | |
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| 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. |
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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
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| 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, 15:36 | 6882 | 0.0013 | 495 | 513 | 94.70 | 58.30 | 238 | | | | 2023 Sep 27, 09:16 | 6822 | 0.0018 | 431 | 456 | 93.45 | 58.28 | 31 | | | | Qased upper stage 2022-024B 51955 |
in space
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| Launched Nour 2. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis
( km ) |
eccentricity | perigee
( km ) | apogee
( km ) | period
( min ) | incl
( ° ) | ω
( ° ) | | |
| 2022 Mar 8, 15:36 | 6881 | 0.0010 | 496 | 509 | 94.67 | 58.30 | 248 | | | |
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
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| 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, 13:47 | 6827 | 0.0010 | 442 | 456 | 93.57 | 60.02 | 265 | | | | Qased upper stage 2023-150B 57963 |
Re-entered - 2024 Dec 6
Life 436 days
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| Launched Nour 3. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis
( km ) |
eccentricity | perigee
( km ) | apogee
( km ) | period
( min ) | incl
( ° ) | ω
( ° ) | | |
| 2023 Sep 27, 13:51 | 6832 | 0.0012 | 446 | 462 | 93.67 | 60.02 | 227 | | | |
2024-015 Qaem 100
Shahroud Test Centre, Dasht-e Kavir, Iran | 2024 Jan 20, 06:28 UTC | |
in space
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| 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, 13:06 | 7126 | 0.0012 | 739 | 756 | 99.77 | 64.51 | 283 | | | | Qaem 100 third stage 2024-015B 58818 |
in space
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| Launched Soraya. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis
( km ) |
eccentricity | perigee
( km ) | apogee
( km ) | period
( min ) | incl
( ° ) | ω
( ° ) | | |
| 2024 Jan 20, 13:04 | 7130 | 0.0012 | 744 | 761 | 99.87 | 64.52 | 251 | | | |
2024-018 Simorgh (Phoenix)
Ayatollah Khomeini Space Centre, Iran | 2024 Jan 28, 00:02 UTC | |
in space
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| 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, 11:54 | 7161 | 0.0459 | 454 | 1111 | 100.51 | 58.69 | 163 | | | | |
in space
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| 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, 11:51 | 7159 | 0.0456 | 454 | 1107 | 100.46 | 58.70 | 163 | | | | |
in space
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| 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, 11:51 | 7157 | 0.0455 | 453 | 1105 | 100.43 | 58.68 | 162 | | | | Simorgh second stage 2024-018C 58851 |
in space
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| 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, 08:30 | 7156 | 0.0454 | 454 | 1103 | 100.42 | 58.69 | 162 | | | |
2024-165 Quaem 100
Shahroud Test Centre, Dasht-e Kavir, Iran | 2024 Sep 14, 06:30 UTC | |
in space
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| 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, 17:14 | 6927 | 0.0009 | 543 | 555 | 95.63 | 64.10 | 270 | | | | 2024 Sep 23, 21:59 | 6917 | 0.0020 | 525 | 553 | 95.43 | 64.09 | 302 | | | | 2024 Oct 1, 00:17 | 6922 | 0.0019 | 531 | 557 | 95.53 | 64.10 | 302 | | | | 2024 Oct 1, 09:43 | 6921 | 0.0016 | 532 | 554 | 95.51 | 64.09 | 290 | | | | 2024 Oct 26, 03:33 | 6928 | 0.0014 | 540 | 560 | 95.65 | 64.09 | 273 | | | | Qaem 100 second stage 2025-165A 61071 |
in space
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| Launched Chamran 1. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis
( km ) |
eccentricity | perigee
( km ) | apogee
( km ) | period
( min ) | incl
( ° ) | ω
( ° ) | | |
| 2024 Sep 14, 17:19 | 6930 | 0.0008 | 546 | 557 | 95.69 | 64.10 | 238 | | | |
2024-236 Simorgh
Ayatollah Khomeini Space Centre, Iran | 2024 Dec 6, 03:13 UTC | |
Re-entered - 2025 Jan 25
Life 50 days
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| 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, 06:18 | 6729 | 0.0072 | 302 | 400 | 91.56 | 58.57 | 161 | | | | Unidentified Satellite? 2024-236D 62266 |
in space
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| 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, 06:42 | 6731 | 0.0075 | 303 | 404 | 91.60 | 58.56 | 161 | | | | Simorgh second stage 2024-236A 62263 |
in space
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| 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, 06:15 | 6733 | 0.0078 | 302 | 407 | 91.63 | 58.54 | 160 | | | | Saman 1 rocket stage 2024-236B 62264 |
in space
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| 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, 06:18 | 6730 | 0.0073 | 302 | 401 | 91.58 | 58.56 | 158 | | | |
Page published: 2012 Feb 11
Subject to continual updates
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