Monday, April 8, 2013

Iran plans on launching seven satellites

Iran Space Agency Director Hamid Fazeli made an announcement that the country aims to send seven satellites into space during the current Iranian calendar year, which commenced on March 21. Various Iranian universities will be contributing in the satellite manufacturing project.

Director Fazeli said that one of the satellites scheduled for launch this year is the Nahid spacecraft, using a special kind of technology. Weighing 50 kilograms, the Nahid satellite is designed by experts at the research centre of Iran Space Agency, along with scientists at Amirkabir University of Technology.

Among the other satellites that will be launched this year include the reconnaissance satellite Fajr (Dawn), powered by solar energy, and the Zafar (Triumph) satellite, to be produced by the University of Science and Technology. Mesbah, a communications satellite weighing 69 kilograms, will also be sent into orbit by the end of 2013.

Zafar, known as the second version of the Navid (Promise) satellite, is outfitted with colour cameras and has the capability to survey jungles, mines, natural disasters and oil reserves.

Fazeli added that the Iran Space Agency is also working to produce carrier rockets that can carry heavier satellites into space.

In February 2009, Iran launched its very first satellite called Omid (hope), while the Rasad (Observation) satellite was sent into space in June 2011. A year after that, the country sent its third locally manufactured satellite called Navid (Promise), which sent its first image in February 8, 2012.

Recommended additional reading:

No comments:

Post a Comment