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Further Reading

Safir 1, 2, &1B Series of Iranian Space Boosters

© By Charles P. Vick (All Rights Reserved)

Senior Technical Analyst

07-21-10 /03-07/25-11

Safir-1B Improvement over the Safir-2 Used for Omid Launch

Safir-1, 2, & 1B Iranian Launch Vehicles

The Safir-2 (Ambassador-2) booster was used to launch Iran’s first satellite Omid (hope) on February 2, 2009. Its payload capacity has been superseded by the Safir-1B (Ambassador-1B) booster with its 50 kilogram payload capacity with an elliptical orbit of 330 to 450 kilometers. It post boost payload maneuvering capability allows it to circularize payloads at 450 kilometers.

Previous Reporting From 2009-2010.

Safir Block-II Class Space Booster

Safir Block-II Class Space Booster

It also revealed indirectly on June 8, 2010 that Safir Block-2 with three stages will fly in 2011. While the Simorgh-3 IRILV Booster is expected to fly in 2012 with a height of 27 meters using at least two or three stages with a total launch mass of 85 tonnes on a launch thrust of 143 tonnes to placing a 60 kilogram satellite into a 500 kilometer orbit. Only the Safir-1B booster without strap-ons has appeared so far reflecting some performance improvements over the Safir-2 previous booster design.

Safir-1, 2 Iranian Launch Vehicle

It had been suggested that Iran was in the final stages of preparing the Safir two stage booster to launch the 60-63.5 kilogram (132-140 Pound) cube shaped Mesbah-2 [Lantern] satellite from the Semnan Range south east of Semnan Iran. Iran's Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Reza Taqipour, stated that "the semi-domestic telecommunications satellite is ready for launch." He went on to state that "The Mesbah satellite had successfully completed pre-launch tests and is now ready for take-off." For further information on the Mesbah satellite see: http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/world/iran/multi.htm

It may also be possible that Iran is moving to and augmented version of the Safir-2 Block-II Class space booster with possible solid motor strap-ones boosters and a solid motor third stage that was suggested would appear in 2010.

Iran is ahead in some respect to North Korea missile technology wise especially in Solid Propellant technology. Iran has not fully taken on the more difficult Unha-2/Taep'o-dong-2 booster testing leaving it to North Korea to perfect with their cooperation. This is even though they have the propulsion systems for that launch vehicle in hand. Iran's solid propellant programs as well as the Shahab-6/ Unha-2/Taep'o-dong-2 program are all delayed by technological issues.

Thank You.

I need to thank John Locker of the UK for providing the heads up on the Iranian TV programming activities as well as Nicholas Badenhorst of SA for the heads up on the press notification on the pending launch.

References:

1. Iranian Scientists Brace for Another Spaceshot, IG Moderator, Iran Defense.net, Oct 12, 2009, p. 1-2, http://www.irandefence.net/showthread.php?p=793672#post793672

2. Tehran Times, Iranian Scientists Brace for another Spaceshot, Oct. 13, 2009, P. 1-2.

3. By Nasser Karimi, Iran turns to Italy to launch satellite, AP, Tehran Iran, Nov. 11, 2009, p.1-2

4. Italian company says no launch for Iran satellite, AP, Rome, Nov 12, 2009, p.1.

5. By Ali Akbar Dareini, Iran to launch satellite on its own by late 2011, AP, Tehran, Iran, Nov. 20-2009, p. 1-2