Fajr Safir-1B launch - TBD 2013 (?)

[Satori]

According to various sources Iran is preparing to launch the Fajr satellite o May 23, 2012.

[Satori]

Taken from the Iranian Space thread...

Iran to send satellite into space concurrent with nuclear talks day

TEHRAN, May 14 (MNA) – Aerospace Industry Organization Director Mehdi Farahi announced on Monday that Iran plans to send the Fajr (Dawn) satellite into space on May 23, the day that negotiators from Iran and the six major powers (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany) will meet in Baghdad for nuclear talks.

The Fajr satellite is a reconnaissance satellite powered by solar energy.

Iran plans to send the satellite into space aboard the upgraded Safir one satellite carrier rocket.

http://www.mehrnews.com/en/newsdetail.aspx?NewsID=1602440

This NOTAM seems to show that the daily launch windows are between 0330 - 0730 and 0930 - 1230 UTC.

A1412/12 - GUN FIRING WILL TAKE PLACE WI AREA: 3440N 05330E 3435N 05350E 3513N 05351E. GND - UNL, MAY 06 TO MAY 09, MAY 22 TO MAY 25, MAY 29 TO JUN. 01 AND JUN 13 TO JUN 16 0330-0730 AND 0930-1230, 06 MAY 03:30 2012 UNTIL 16 JUN 12:30 2012. CREATED: 02 MAY 10:25 2012

[Satori]

Fajr satellite launch shows Iran scientific prowess: Defense minister.

[clongton]

It's amazing how even governments tend toward childish attitudes.
"We're going into nuclear talks with the big boys so lets launch a satellite on the exact same day to show them how scary we could actually be."

[fringe_dweller]

This NOTAM seems to show that the daily launch windows are between 0330 - 0730 and 0930 - 1230 UTC.

A1412/12 - GUN FIRING WILL TAKE PLACE WI AREA: 3440N 05330E 3435N 05350E 3513N 05351E. GND - UNL, MAY 06 TO MAY 09, MAY 22 TO MAY 25, MAY 29 TO JUN. 01 AND JUN 13 TO JUN 16 0330-0730 AND 0930-1230, 06 MAY 03:30 2012 UNTIL 16 JUN 12:30 2012. CREATED: 02 MAY 10:25 2012

Area which is declared by this NOTAM is oriented to SSW direction. My guess that this will be ordinary guns firing, not space launch.

[osiossim]

So? Today is 23rd.

Did we forget Iran's launch due to Falcon-9 success?

[Galactic Penguin SST]

So? Today is 23rd.

Did we forget Iran's launch due to Falcon-9 success?

It's only morning time there, so it is too early to say if they have launched or not.

The weather there, however, wasn't that calm, with rain showers in the night: http://english.wunderground.com/history/airport/OIIS/2012/05/23/DailyHistory.html

[Phillip Clark]

Plus looking at the NOTAMs the first launch window hasn't closed yet.

[Gemini XIII]

I'm a new here, so... hi everybody

First launch window for today is closed. Any news?

[Nahavandi]

Semnan weather forecast:

http://www.accuweather.com/en/ir/semnan/210904/daily-weather-forecast/210904?day=1

[Nahavandi]

According to Zarya.info the launch will occur on the 26th

[Satori]

Iran to launch Fajr satellite into space in June

[Satori]

Iran delays launch of observation satellite

Ten months launch delay?

[Comet]

Iran delays launch of observation satellite

Ten months launch delay?

Strange indeed. Maybe there was a dramatic launch faliure that was not reported?

[InvalidAttitude]

Iran delays launch of observation satellite

Ten months launch delay?

Strange indeed. Maybe there was a dramatic launch faliure that was not reported?

It's would be reported by the US.

[Comet]

[/quote]

It's would be reported by the US.
[/quote]

Not necessarily. There were BALLISTIC MISSILES tests that were detected and NOT reported by the US - we learned about them long time after they occurred - from a leaked UN report.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Head of Iran’s Space Agency (ISA) Hamid Fazeli says...
.
.
The top Iranian official also said the indigenous Fajr (Dawn) satellite will be launched within the next two months.
.
.

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2012/08/01/253827/iran-set-to-launch-biocapsule-into-space/

[Danderman]

If the Obama administration really wanted to slow down the Iranian space program, they would just send them a bunch of free copies of Microsoft PowerPoint.

[Satori]

Some reports point to the launch of Fajr in the next days or weeks.

[Satori]

A new report saying that Fajr will be launched soon... http://www.yjc.ir/fa/news/4265842

[Steven Pietrobon]

A Bing translation gave

"Fazeli was a reminder: Fajr satellite after launch at an altitude of 250 kilometers is from their isolated and carrier to help the transfer process-orientation in the orbital hziyz (closest distance from the Earth) to 404 km."

"Fazeli noted: this satellite is equipped with an imaging camera called the cargo subsidiary that its breakdown strength is 500 meters as well."

This might mean that the initial orbit is 250 km high, but the satellite will transfer to a 404 km altitude. The satellite ground resolution might be 500 m.

[Soheil]

Carbon fibre case for the Fajr satellite cold gas propulsion system

[Satori]

Video about Fajr satellite http://www.sorayatv.ir/content/clip/26/

[Comet]

I believe that in the near future we will see evidence of yet another FAILED Safir SLV launch, that occurred recently. This will be the Third failure in a row for the SLV.

As for now, I can not provide photographic or other evidence, sorry.

[Satori]

I believe that in the near future we will see evidence of yet another FAILED Safir SLV launch, that occurred recently. This will be the Third failure in a row for the SLV.

As for now, I can not provide photographic or other evidence, sorry.

How recently?

[russianhalo117]

I believe that in the near future we will see evidence of yet another FAILED Safir SLV launch, that occurred recently. This will be the Third failure in a row for the SLV.

As for now, I can not provide photographic or other evidence, sorry.

How recently?

Monitor IMS Janes for the next few weeks and they will issue a satellite intelligence report on it.

[hossein]

I believe that in the near future we will see evidence of yet another FAILED Safir SLV launch, that occurred recently. This will be the Third failure in a row for the SLV.

As for now, I can not provide photographic or other evidence, sorry.

I have the same feeling too. But I have a question:
Your first paragraph shows that you are not sure about a failed launch but, Your second paragraph shows you are completely sure about the failure but are not allowed to show photographic evidence.

Can you tell us which one it is: You are merely making an assumption about a failed launch or you are completely sure there was a failed launch?

[Satori]

I believe that in the near future we will see evidence of yet another FAILED Safir SLV launch, that occurred recently. This will be the Third failure in a row for the SLV.

As for now, I can not provide photographic or other evidence, sorry.

I have the same feeling too. But I have a question:

But, hossein, are you talking about a failed launch in the last two weeks?

[hossein]

I believe that in the near future we will see evidence of yet another FAILED Safir SLV launch, that occurred recently. This will be the Third failure in a row for the SLV.

As for now, I can not provide photographic or other evidence, sorry.

I have the same feeling too. But I have a question:

But, hossein, are you talking about a failed launch in the last two weeks?

I'm not saying a failed launch. I'm just guessing, because nearly ever time a launch was postponed we found out later (either through Janes or other means) that the launch had failed or the goals were not reached. The Fajr satellite was supposed to be launched in the last two weeks. We haven't received any news that it has, so I am just guessing that it might have failed. Of course it might have been postponed because of technical reasons.

[Comet]

I believe that in the near future we will see evidence of yet another FAILED Safir SLV launch, that occurred recently. This will be the Third failure in a row for the SLV.

As for now, I can not provide photographic or other evidence, sorry.

Can you tell us which one it is: You are merely making an assumption about a failed launch or you are completely sure there was a failed launch?

I was crystal clear: There WAS a launch (on February) that failed. And, I belive that a photographic evidence will be comming up soon.

[hossein]

I believe that in the near future we will see evidence of yet another FAILED Safir SLV launch, that occurred recently. This will be the Third failure in a row for the SLV.

As for now, I can not provide photographic or other evidence, sorry.

Can you tell us which one it is: You are merely making an assumption about a failed launch or you are completely sure there was a failed launch?

I was crystal clear: There WAS a launch (on February) that failed. And, I belive that a photographic evidence will be comming up soon.

  I was hoping you were wrong but it seems you have access to classified info.

[russianhalo117]

I believe that in the near future we will see evidence of yet another FAILED Safir SLV launch, that occurred recently. This will be the Third failure in a row for the SLV.

As for now, I can not provide photographic or other evidence, sorry.

Can you tell us which one it is: You are merely making an assumption about a failed launch or you are completely sure there was a failed launch?

I was crystal clear: There WAS a launch (on February) that failed. And, I belive that a photographic evidence will be comming up soon.

  I was hoping you were wrong but it seems you have access to classified info.

If it was classified we would not be talking about it here until it was officially declared declassified by all contributing and/or involved parties. As for myself I do not hold the proper level of authority to continue discussing this topic at this time.

[Satori]

I believe that in the near future we will see evidence of yet another FAILED Safir SLV launch, that occurred recently. This will be the Third failure in a row for the SLV.

As for now, I can not provide photographic or other evidence, sorry.

Can you tell us which one it is: You are merely making an assumption about a failed launch or you are completely sure there was a failed launch?

I was crystal clear: There WAS a launch (on February) that failed. And, I belive that a photographic evidence will be comming up soon.

Sorry, but I do not think it was crystal clear at least until we have hard evidence that there was a launch (either through Janes or other source). Until that, it is only speculation. If you say that something will show up published in the next days, then its better to wait instead of talking about 'crystal clear'.

[Comet]

I believe that in the near future we will see evidence of yet another FAILED Safir SLV launch, that occurred recently. This will be the Third failure in a row for the SLV.

As for now, I can not provide photographic or other evidence, sorry.

Can you tell us which one it is: You are merely making an assumption about a failed launch or you are completely sure there was a failed launch?

I was crystal clear: There WAS a launch (on February) that failed. And, I belive that a photographic evidence will be comming up soon.

Sorry, but I do not think it was crystal clear at least until we have hard evidence that there was a launch (either through Janes or other source). Until that, it is only speculation. If you say that something will show up published in the next days, then its better to wait instead of talking about 'crystal clear'.

"Crystal clear" was used to explain "hoseyn" who asked me if I was just speculated or based on knowladge.

As for evidence - wait and see (Just remember that I wrote on the first failed launch of 2012 long before Jane's published its satellite photographs).

I agree that it could be frastraiting to wait until the media/Google Earth provides some photographic evidence. I know that I am....

[InvalidAttitude]

I believe that in the near future we will see evidence of yet another FAILED Safir SLV launch, that occurred recently. This will be the Third failure in a row for the SLV.

As for now, I can not provide photographic or other evidence, sorry.

Can you tell us which one it is: You are merely making an assumption about a failed launch or you are completely sure there was a failed launch?

I was crystal clear: There WAS a launch (on February) that failed. And, I belive that a photographic evidence will be comming up soon.

Sorry, but I do not think it was crystal clear at least until we have hard evidence that there was a launch (either through Janes or other source). Until that, it is only speculation. If you say that something will show up published in the next days, then its better to wait instead of talking about 'crystal clear'.

"Crystal clear" was used to explain "hoseyn" who asked me if I was just speculated or based on knowladge.

As for evidence - wait and see (Just remember that I wrote on the first failed launch of 2012 long before Jane's published its satellite photographs).

I agree that it could be frastraiting to wait until the media/Google Earth provides some photographic evidence. I know that I am....

If its exploded in mid-air, we never get a confirmation.

[Comet]

I believe that in the near future we will see evidence of yet another FAILED Safir SLV launch, that occurred recently. This will be the Third failure in a row for the SLV.

As for now, I can not provide photographic or other evidence, sorry.

Can you tell us which one it is: You are merely making an assumption about a failed launch or you are completely sure there was a failed launch?

I was crystal clear: There WAS a launch (on February) that failed. And, I belive that a photographic evidence will be comming up soon.

Sorry, but I do not think it was crystal clear at least until we have hard evidence that there was a launch (either through Janes or other source). Until that, it is only speculation. If you say that something will show up published in the next days, then its better to wait instead of talking about 'crystal clear'.

"Crystal clear" was used to explain "hoseyn" who asked me if I was just speculated or based on knowladge.

As for evidence - wait and see (Just remember that I wrote on the first failed launch of 2012 long before Jane's published its satellite photographs).

I agree that it could be frastraiting to wait until the media/Google Earth provides some photographic evidence. I know that I am....

If its exploded in mid-air, we never get a confirmation.

With all due respect, this is not necessarily true. For example, the OFFICIAL US data on failed North Korean launches - specifically those in which the missile disintegrates in mid air.

So, there are cases that you will get the data officially, even if you can not see traces on the ground.

[Skyrocket]

I believe that in the near future we will see evidence of yet another FAILED Safir SLV launch, that occurred recently. This will be the Third failure in a row for the SLV.

As for now, I can not provide photographic or other evidence, sorry.

Can you tell us which one it is: You are merely making an assumption about a failed launch or you are completely sure there was a failed launch?

I was crystal clear: There WAS a launch (on February) that failed. And, I belive that a photographic evidence will be comming up soon.

Sorry, but I do not think it was crystal clear at least until we have hard evidence that there was a launch (either through Janes or other source). Until that, it is only speculation. If you say that something will show up published in the next days, then its better to wait instead of talking about 'crystal clear'.

"Crystal clear" was used to explain "hoseyn" who asked me if I was just speculated or based on knowladge.

As for evidence - wait and see (Just remember that I wrote on the first failed launch of 2012 long before Jane's published its satellite photographs).

I agree that it could be frastraiting to wait until the media/Google Earth provides some photographic evidence. I know that I am....

If its exploded in mid-air, we never get a confirmation.

Even if it had exploded in mid-air, it would have left scorch marks on the pad at lift off.

[Satori]

Well, I'm starting to agree with you in this one. Iran simply is not talking about Fajr anymore and we should have seen a launch by now....

I believe that in the near future we will see evidence of yet another FAILED Safir SLV launch, that occurred recently. This will be the Third failure in a row for the SLV.

As for now, I can not provide photographic or other evidence, sorry.

[Skyrocket]

The Times Of Israel: For third time in 2 years, ‘Iran fails to launch satellite’

http://www.timesofisrael.com/for-third-time-in-2-years-iran-fails-to-launch-satellite/

[Satori]

The Times Of Israel: For third time in 2 years, ‘Iran fails to launch satellite’

http://www.timesofisrael.com/for-third-time-in-2-years-iran-fails-to-launch-satellite/

Is there any other reference to this failure apart from Times of Israel?

[Steven Pietrobon]

Liss reported a NOTAM from 17 to 18 February

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=11734.375

[Satori]

Liss reported a NOTAM from 17 to 18 February

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=11734.375

Yes, but the first rumors appeared before that date.

[Satori]

I'm a little intrigued about this news that was published on the Times of Israel about a possible launch failure.

On February 15 there was a rumor of a possible launch failure by Iran. This comes two weeks after the Iranians announced the launch of a satellite (Fajr) - with some bad translations saying that Iran would launch three satellites. Before this, there were a few announcements by Iran saying that the Fajr satellite would 'be launch soon' (for example, on February 11). On 14th and 15th the Iranian press showed some videos and photos about the Fajr satellite. On February 16, 17 on the 18th there were some NOTAMs, but again, nothing happened.

Then we have on the 27th the news from the Times of Israel about a possible launch failure around February 17th (possible related with the NOTAMs issued).

So, are we talking about two failures here? One before February 15 and another failure around February 17? Does the Times of Israel have other informations that we (still) don't have? Also, was there really a bad translation about the three satellites that were going to be launched?

This may be only a wild guess, but the facts are there to be analyzed.

[Steven Pietrobon]

I think there was only one launch (if that occurred). If there was a failure, you stop flying to analyse what went wrong. There were also many reports that the satellite was going to be SharifSat. I think the previous announcements of launching Fajr somehow got confused with SharifSat.

[Skyrocket]

I think there was only one launch (if that occurred). If there was a failure, you stop flying to analyse what went wrong. There were also many reports that the satellite was going to be SharifSat. I think the previous announcements of launching Fajr somehow got confused with SharifSat.

I also think, that there was only one launch.

Nevertheless, there is historical precendence, that launch vehicles returned to flight within days after a launch failure - the most extreme case was Pilot (NOTSnik), which featured 6 orbital launch failures in only 34 days.

[William Graham]

I think there was only one launch (if that occurred). If there was a failure, you stop flying to analyse what went wrong.

Not necessarily. Standing down after failures may be the general rule, but there are exceptions. For example; a little-known US rocket called Pilot II had three launch failures in the space of four days - and six over a 34-day period - back in 1958. Admittedly this fast turnaround is probably one of the reasons that the Pilot II was the least reliable carrier rocket ever built, but it shows that sometimes in the early stages of your programme you don't always do a detailed failure analysis before the next launch.

EDIT: Looks like Gunter beat me to it...right down to the same obscure example...

[Phillip Clark]

I think there was only one launch (if that occurred). If there was a failure, you stop flying to analyse what went wrong. There were also many reports that the satellite was going to be SharifSat. I think the previous announcements of launching Fajr somehow got confused with SharifSat.

I also think, that there was only one launch.
Nevertheless, there is historical precendence, that launch vehicles returned to flight within days after a launch failure - the most extreme case was Pilot (NOTSnik), which featured 6 orbital launch failures in only 34 days.

On the other hand, in Iran perhaps politics could have dictated a second launch without time for trouble-shooting.

[jcm]

I am going to wait and see. I don't think we as outside observers without
access to classified data can distinguish at this time between (1) launch failure, (2) launch scrub and (3) hot air with no launch attempt at all. I think multiple launch failures in Feb. is unlikely; this is not a Project Pilot but at most more like Vanguard, where the failures came on a one-month cadence (e.g.  Apr 29, May 28 and Jun 26 1958) - not that I put much weight on that comparison.

[Steven Pietrobon]

I am going to wait and see. I don't think we as outside observers without
access to classified data can distinguish at this time between (1) launch failure, (2) launch scrub and (3) hot air with no launch attempt at all.

Yes, its been two weeks since the supposed launch failure on 17 February, and still no photos of the launch site to confirm if there was a launch or not.

[Comet]

http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/hyperbola/2013/02/iran-has-another-orbital-launc.html


Flight global decided to mark the flight as failliure.

[Satori]

http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/hyperbola/2013/02/iran-has-another-orbital-launc.html


Flight global decided to mark the flight as failliure.

No new evidences about the failure and uses the Israeli sources citing "western intelligence sources".

[Satori]

Iran is now saying that Fajr will be launched in the first semester of next year (I suppose is referring to the next Iranian year)... in Farsi http://www.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=13911216000525

[Comet]

Iran is now saying that Fajr will be launched in the first semester of next year (I suppose is referring to the next Iranian year)... in Farsi http://www.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=13911216000525

Fajr is a very special satellite - it was about to be launched "soon" many times...

A lot of official declerations, but nothing in the sky. (BTW, it was probably Fajr that was lost in one of the two failliures of 2012).

[Steven Pietrobon]

Here's an English translation

"Reporter in the State Fars news agency, Brigadier General Ahmad vahidi, Minister of Defense and armed forces logistics at the end of the session the Government and reporters asked about the tasks set about in the Ministry of Defense, said great things about the new products in the country and also to the armed forces.

He is being raised about the news regarding the choice of astronaut to travel to space, said no such issue on the agenda.

The Minister of defense in response to another question about the preparation of satellite space to the Festival, said: we're doing related work, and we hope that in the first half of next year the satellite to be launched."

[Satori]

...and now is early next (Iranian) year.

DM: Iran to Send Fajr Satellite into Orbit Early Next Year.

[Steven Pietrobon]

...and now is early next (Iranian) year.
DM: Iran to Send Fajr Satellite into Orbit Early Next Year.

Thanks Satori. For those don't know it already, the Iranian year starts on 21 March 2013. Quoting the article

"Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi announced Wednesday that the country's home-made telecommunication satellite, Fajr, will be put into orbit in the first half of the next Iranian year (starting on March 21)."

Thus Fajr could be launched within the next six months.

[Comet]

Well, I got a satellite picture of Semnan launch platform, that was taken on February 2013, by a commercial satellite.

To my regret, I can not post the picture yet, nor reveal the satellite that took it.

What I CAN say, is that the unmistakable black/grey scorch marks (evidence of a launch) are there.

[Satori]

Thank you for the information!

Well, I got a satellite picture of Semnan launch platform, that was taken on February 2013, by a commercial satellite.

To my regret, I can not post the picture yet, nor reveal the satellite that took it.

What I CAN say, us that the unmistakable black/grey scorch marks (evidence of a launch) are there.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Thanks Comet. Hopefully someone will be able to release that photo.

[Comet]

http://www.spaceflight101.com/iran-launch-failure-february-2013.html

[Satori]

Google Earth now shows the September 22, 2012 image of the Semnan launch site.

[Steven Pietrobon]

http://www.spaceflight101.com/iran-launch-failure-february-2013.html

There's a number of errors in this article. The first one is that the satellite to be launched in February was SharifSat. There were numerous press releases saying this, but some later press releases got this mangled with Fajr, which is where the confusion arose. The second is that Nahid will be launched by Simorgh, as Safir-1B is too small.