Safir (rocket)

Safir
Safir's 2012 launch from Semnan Space Center with Navid satellite as its payload
FunctionLEO launch vehicle
ManufacturerIranian Space Agency
Country of originIran
Size
Height22 m (72ft)
Diameter1.25 m (4.10ft)
Mass26,000 kg
Stages2
Capacity
Payload to LEO
Mass50 kilograms (110 lb)
Launch history
StatusRetired
Launch sitesSemnan Space Center
Total launches7 (1 unconfirmed)
(+2 test flights)
Success(es)4
Failure(s)3 (1 unconfirmed)
First flight17 August 2008
Last flight5 February 2019
First stage
Powered by1 × modified Shahab-3 engine
Maximum thrust363 kN (82,000 lbf)
PropellantN2O4 / UDMH
Second stage
Powered by2 × R-27 Zyb vernier engines
Maximum thrust35 kN (7,900 lbf)
PropellantN2O4 / UDMH

The Safir (Persian: سفیر, meaning "ambassador") was the first Iranian expendable launch vehicle able to place a satellite in orbit.[1] The first successful orbital launch using the Safir launch system took place on 2 February 2009 when a Safir carrier rocket placed the Omid satellite into an orbit with a 245.2 km (152.4 mi) apogee.[2][3] This made Iran the ninth nation capable of producing and launching a satellite.[4]

The Simorgh is a larger orbital launcher based on Safir technology which has since replaced the Safir, and is sometimes called the Safir-2.[5]

  1. ^ Hafezi, Parisa (17 August 2008). Liffey, Kevin (ed.). "Iran says it has put first dummy satellite in orbit". Reuters. Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2008.
  2. ^ "OMID Spacecraft - Trajectory Details". NSSDCA Master Catalog. NASA. 2009-004A. Archived from the original on 9 December 2023.
  3. ^ "The Threat". US Missile Defense Agency. Archived from the original on 2009-11-05.
  4. ^ Clark, Stephen (2 February 2009). "Iran Launches Omid Satellite Into Orbit". Space.com. Retrieved 2021-04-05.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference sfn-20190211 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).