Rasad -- Safir -- 15 June 2011

[Bubbinski]

I just saw something on breakingnews.com that said the Iranians launched a satellite into orbit today.

[anik]

According to http://www.interfax.ru/news.asp?id=194744, Rasad 1 satellite was successfully launched today.

[Phillip Clark]

Launch 2011-025

37675       2011 Jun 15.49   55.70 deg, 89.86 min, 236 - 299 km, 93 deg

37676       2011 Jun 15.49   55.70 deg, 89.72 min, 229 - 292 km, 74 deg

55.7 deg is the orbital inclination, 93 deg and 74 deg are the arguments of perigee.

Is this the satellite that is supposed to manoeuvre?

[Salo]

http://www.jpost.com/IranianThreat/News/Article.aspx?id=225154

[Salo]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/15/iran-satelrocket-idUSHAF56020720110615

[Salo]

Video:
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/184847.html

[Satori]

Possible image of the launch from AFP.

[Salo]

From same source.

[Salo]

[Danderman]

Doesn't look like a hydrazine fueled engine, or one with  multiple thrust chambers.

[edkyle99]

Doesn't look like a hydrazine fueled engine, or one with  multiple thrust chambers.

Some claim that the fuel is a mixture of kerosene and gasoline, which is burned with Nitric Acid/N2O4.  Others insist on UDMH fuel, especially for the upper stage.  The following seems to be a a good assessment of the launch vehicle and its missile relatives.
http://docs.ewi.info/JTA_TA_Program.pdf

The first stage uses one thrust chamber, with jet vanes for steering.  The second stage probably uses two to four small movable thrust chambers. 

 - Ed Kyle

[jcm]

Has anyone seen a launch time? Ground track passes over the launch site around 0920 UTC Jun 15; A and B orbits intersect around 0945 UTC; guessing launch was around 0925 UTC?? Phil - do you have a better estimate?

[Salo]

http://www.irna.ir/ENNewsShow.aspx?NID=30434179&SRCH=1

[InvalidAttitude]

More pics here:
http://www.irna.ir/Display.aspx?NID=030434305

[Yarrah]

Any idea what 'UIS.0001' on the side of the rocket means? I know that the Safir launched in 2009 had 'OES.0002' on it's side and the one that failed in 2008 'OES.0001'

[edkyle99]

http://www.irna.ir/ENNewsShow.aspx?NID=30434179&SRCH=1

These night launch photos show the 2009 launch of Omid, not the June 15, 2011 launch.

 - Ed Kyle

[Phillip Clark]

Do we have reasonably accurate co-ordinates for the launch site?

[Gregori]

Does anybody have any idea how heavy this bird is?

[Phillip Clark]

This was posted on FPSPACE by Peter Pasavento.   The mass is given as 15.3 kg (I assume that the Iranians do not use pounds weight/mass).

With respct to the dual use of rockets for warheads or satellites,the  same can be said about the launch vehicles used by virually all of the "space powers" when their first satellites were being launched.   Yes, of course, a satellite launcher can carry a weapon, but we raely see this turned the other way around - a weapon-carrier can be used to launch a satellite.   Doesn't grab as many headlines, I guess.



http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/15/rasad-iran-satellite-launch_n_877658.html

Rasad, Iran Satellite, Launched Into Orbit: State TV
 
TEHRAN, Iran — Iran launched a satellite into earth orbit Wednesday, Iran's state TV reported, in a feat that is likely to raise concerns among those who fear Iran's intentions and nuclear development program.

The report said the locally produced satellite, called Rasad, or observation, was launched successfully by a Safir missile on Wednesday. There was no independent confirmation of the launch or of the satellite achieving orbit.

It the second satellite Iran has put into orbit. The first, named Omid, was launched in 2009.

The Iranian TV report said the new satellite is designed to produce high resolution maps.

Iran's decade-long space program has raised alarms in the West, because the same technology that allows missiles to launch satellites can be used to fire warheads. Israel, the U.S. and others charge that Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons. Iran denies that.

The TV report said the Rasad satellite, developed by Iran's aerospace agency, weighs 34 pounds (15.3 kilograms) and has been designed to orbit the earth 15 times a day at the height of 160 miles (260 kilometers).

"Our glorious scientists successfully put Iran's first image-collecting satellite into orbit," the TV report said.

Iran has made a series of claims about advances in its ambitious space program in recent years, which has Western powers worried about the possibility of its military applications.

Last year, Iran announced it had successfully launched a rocket carrying a mouse, turtle and worms into space.

Iran's space program has expressed a goal of putting a man in orbit within 10 years, despite the expense and technological challenge involved.

Iran is showcasing its technological successes as signs it can advance despite the threat of U.S. and U.N. sanctions over its nuclear program.

It is also pressing ahead with its military missile program, frequently testing missiles capable of reaching Israel, U.S. bases in the Gulf and parts of southeast Europe.

Iran launched its first commercial satellite in 2005 on a Russian rocket. Russia, North Korea and China transfer space technology to Iran.

Iran has said it wants to put its own satellites into orbit to monitor natural disasters in the earthquake-prone nation and improve its telecommunications. Iranian officials also point to America's use of satellites to monitor conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq and say they need similar capabilities for their security.

[Satori]

Any idea what 'UIS.0001' on the side of the rocket means? I know that the Safir launched in 2009 had 'OES.0002' on it's side and the one that failed in 2008 'OES.0001'

Probably, some kind of serial number...