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Chamran 1 research satellite

Iran successfully launched the domestically-produced Chamran 1 research satellite into orbit, Iranian media reported 14 September 2024. The primary mission of Chamran 1 is to test hardware and software systems, specifically to demonstrate orbital maneuvering capabilities in terms of altitude and phase. Additionally, the satellite will assess cold gas propulsion subsystems and the performance of navigation and attitude control systems. The evaluation of the performance evaluation of the navigation and status control sub-systems are among the sub-missions of this space cargo.

Iran's new solid-fuel engine could be the basis for building large numbers of anti-satellite missiles and deploying them on military alert. Iran has already found the power to intercept satellites in space, and in the future can combine this power with anti-satellite missiles to achieve effective space capabilitie.

The meaning of the word "Chamran" in this context is somewha obscure. Shaheed Mustafa Chamran was admitted to the University of Tehran in the field of Electromechanical Engineering. Five years later, he received a government scholarship for the Texas A&M University, after which he earned a PhD in Electronics and Plasma Physics with high honors from the University of California, Berkeley. Although being in the situation he was in was the dream of many young people, Mustafa preferred struggle on the path of God for the values and principles that he believed in to a life of pursuing his own personal welfare that had nothing to do with his ideals.Perhaps, Shaheed Mustafa Chamran had never formally received education from anybody in any divine or mystical schools of thought, but his heart was seeking Allah. Being in the presence of Allah was a constant matter for him.

The result of him staying seven years in Lebanon was the formation of the Supreme Islamic Shi’a Council and an organization by the name of “Amal” (the Resistance Forces of Lebanon), which was an organization for military and defensive training. Following the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979, Mustafa returned to his homeland after 23 years. He returned in order to put his many years of experiences at the service of Islam and Iran. The night of July 18, 1979 was a difficult night in the city of Paveh. Komala and the anti-revolutionary forces had besieged the city and the majority of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps soldiers had been massacred. The entire city and the surrounding areas had fallen into the hands of the enemy. As the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Imam Khomeini put Mustafa in charge of the mission. By the morning, the city had been secured by God’s grace and due to the exceptional military acumen of Chamran. Following this success, he was appointed Minister of Defense.

With Saddam's invasion of Iran, he went to the southern cities of Iran to closely organize and command the forces, and he established the Ahwaz Irregular Warfare Headquarters there. Contrary to typical war commanders, he was always in front of his soldiers. It never occurred to him to follow the news from a distance in a command room and to issue orders from there. Even when he was injured in one of the operations, he refused to be transferred to Tehran for treatment. He returned to the field with a cane after a few days of rest. Ultimately, at the age of 48, he was wounded by mortar shells during a mission in the Dehlawieh war zone. He was martyred while being transported for treatment.

Sayyid Ali Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, introduced Dr. Mustafa Chamran’s personality as being a perfect role model, “Martyr Chamran is a role model. He was a scholar in the true sense of the word. He was knowledgeable and well-educated, and at the same time, he was a true soldier and truly fought on the path of God. Worldly, material concerns and positions were not important for him. Wealth and fame were not important for him. Who would be introduced as having gotten the job done was not important for him. He was just, frank, brave and tough. Despite his gentle, sympathetic, poetic and mystic nature, he was a tenacious soldier in the field of battle.”

"Chamran-1" satellite was was created with the participation of government institutions and knowledge-based companies, towards the construction and launch of "Rad" series radar sensing satellites. And the development of the "Research" satellite series will proceed with the cooperation of the private sector. Just hours after the launch, Chamran 1 transmitted its first signals back to Earth. The stabilization type of "Chamran-1" satellite is announced as rotating and the TT&C band of this satellite is VHF-UHF&S.

The satellite, which weighs approximately 60 kilograms, was developed by Iranian Electronics Industries affiliated with the Defense Ministry. The research satellite "Chamran 1" was designed and built by the Iran Electronic Industries Space Group (Sairan) with the cooperation and participation of the Aerospace Research Institute and Danesh Banian private companies,

The satellite was placed in a 550-kilometer orbit on the Qaem-100, a solid-fueled satellite carrier developed by aerospace experts from the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC). The Qaem-100, Iran's first three-stage solid-fuel satellite launcher, was reported by official media to have successfully placed a satellite into orbit above 500 kilometers (310 miles) for the first time in January. That same month, Iran announced the simultaneous deployment of three satellites into orbit, shortly after the IRGC launched a research satellite.

Despite facing restrictions due to Western-imposed sanctions, Iran has continued to advance its space program in recent years. Hassan Salarieh, head of the Iranian Space Agency, previously announced that six to eight domestic and foreign satellite launches are planned by the end of 2024. He added that the Tolou-3 and Zafar-2 satellites will be launched using foreign launchers in December 2024. Salarieh pointed out that the activation of the Chabahar Space Center would enable access to various orbital inclinations. The head of the Iranian Space Agency further announced the launch of the indigenous Kosar satellite, developed by the private sector, in November 2024.

Western governments, including the United States, have consistently cautioned Iran against conducting such launches, claiming the technology used could be repurposed for ballistic missiles, potentially capable of carrying nuclear warheads. Iran, however, has firmly denied pursuing nuclear weapons, asserting that its satellite and rocket launches are solely for civil and defensive purposes.

Bloomberg wrote: The state television channel of the Islamic Republic of Iran reported that the country launched a domestically-made research satellite into space on Saturday. Reuters wrote: Iran sent the second satellite into Earth orbit this year. In January, Iranian media reported that the "Soraya" satellite was launched into a 750 km orbit. Economic Times wrote: Iran has successfully sent a satellite into space. Iran has successfully launched the Chamran 1 research satellite into Earth orbit using a rocket made by the IRGC. Reports indicate that ground stations have received signals from the satellite. ABC News wrote: Iran says it has successfully launched a satellite into space. The country said it launched a research satellite into Earth orbit with a rocket built by the IRGC.

Jerusalem Post wrote: Iran's state media reported that the country sent its Chamran-1 research satellite into Earth orbit on Saturday, which is the second successful satellite launch for it this year. Arab News wrote: Iran successfully launched a satellite into space. Iran launched a research satellite into orbit on Saturday with a rocket built by the Revolutionary Guards, state news agencies reported.

The Washington Post wrote: Iran said it launched a satellite into space. This country sent its Chamran-1 research satellite into the earth's orbit on Saturday. Iran described the launch, which was the second of its kind this year, and placed a satellite into orbit with a rocket, as a success. The Australian newspaper Canberra Times wrote: Iran sent another satellite into the earth's orbit. Iran's state media reported that the country has sent its Chamran-1 research satellite into orbit, which is its second successful satellite launch in 2024.

India Today wrote: The sending of Iran's satellite into space, for the first time during the presidency of Masoud Mezikian. On Saturday, Iran launched a research satellite into the earth's orbit with a rocket made by the IRGC. The Hindu newspaper wrote: Iran said that it sent a research satellite into the earth's orbit with a rocket made by the IRGC.

Referring to the successful launch of the "Chamran 1" satellite, the spokesperson of the Iranian Foreign Ministry wrote that "the illogical sanctions have once again made clear the answer to their illogical actions". According to ISNA, Nasser Kanani, the spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, reacted to the successful launch of the Chamran 1 research satellite. Kanani wrote on the X social network: "Congratulations to all Iranians, Iranian scientists and scholars, and especially those involved in this proud success, on the successful launch of the Chamran 1 research satellite by the Qaim 100 satellite carrier and its placement in an orbit of 550 km from the earth."

The spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran continued to write: The irrational sanctions have once again made clear the answer to their irrational actions. ? Emphasizing the point that "Iran is a rational, powerful and productive actor", Kanani advised the Westerners that "it is better to rationalize their behavior and speech".