GPS News
SPACEWAR
Iran launches three satellites into orbit
Iran launches three satellites into orbit
by AFP Staff Writers
Tehran (AFP) Jan 28, 2024

Iran on Sunday said it simultaneously launched three satellites into orbit, nearly a week after the launch of a research satellite by the Revolutionary Guards drew Western criticism.

"Three Iranian satellites have been successfully launched into orbit for the first time," state TV reported.

The satellites were carried by the two-stage Simorgh (Phoenix) satellite carrier and were launched into a minimum orbit of 450 kilometres (280 miles), it added.

The Mahda satellite, which weighs around 32 kilogrammes and was developed by Iran's Space Agency, is designed to test advanced satellite subsystems, the official IRNA news agency said.

The other two, Kayhan 2 and Hatef, weigh under 10 kilogrammes each and are aimed to test space-based positioning technology and narrowband communication, IRNA added.

Last week, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps sent the research satellite Soraya into space.

Britain, France, and Germany condemned that launch in a statement rejected by Iran as "interventionist".

Western governments including the United States have repeatedly warned Iran against such launches, saying the same technology can be used for ballistic missiles, including ones designed to deliver a nuclear warhead.

Iran has countered that it is not seeking nuclear weapons and that its satellite and rocket launches are for civil or defence purposes only.

The Islamic republic has struggled with several satellite launch failures in the past.

The successful launch of its first military satellite into orbit, Nour-1, in April 2020 drew a sharp rebuke from the United States.

Tehran has been under crippling US sanctions since Washington's 2018 withdrawal from a landmark nuclear deal which granted Iran sanctions relief in return for curbs on its nuclear activities designed to prevent it from developing an atomic warhead.

Iran has always denied any ambition to develop nuclear weapons capability, insisting that its activities are entirely peaceful.

Related Links
Military Space News at SpaceWar.com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
SPACEWAR
Freedom Space Technologies secures contract to enhance Space Force's FORGE C2 Mission
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 24, 2024
Freedom Space Technologies, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ATLAS Space Operations, has recently announced a significant collaboration with OMNI Federal, marking its initial contract win in the space technology sector. This partnership is dedicated to supporting the Future Operationally Resilient Ground Evolution System (FORGE) Command and Control (C2) for the Space Systems Command/Space Sensing Directorate (SSC/SN), an essential modernization activity within the United States Space Force. The FORGE ... read more

SPACEWAR
Tajikistan wants to stockpile food over climate change

Macron leaves angry farmers for soon-to-be NATO member Sweden

Fixing food could produce trillions in annual benefits: report

Protesting farmers block major roads into Paris

SPACEWAR
Redwire targets global semiconductor market with in-space manufacturing initiative

ASML profits soar, 'positive' signs for chips despite trade spats

Computing with the power of light

New candidate for universal memory is fast, low-power, stable and long-lasting

SPACEWAR
Revolutionizing military aircraft maintenance: Northrop Grumman's new digital solution

U.S. F-16 fighter jet crashes off South Korean coast, pilot safely ejects

Greek PM hails US approval of F-35 fighter jet sale

Washington approves sale of F-16 warplanes to Turkey

SPACEWAR
Chinese EV giant BYD expects record net profit for 2023

China overtakes Japan as world's biggest vehicle exporter

GM bets on e-vehicles with $1.4 bn investment in Brazil

Tens of thousands sign up for French electric car leasing scheme

SPACEWAR
Hong Kong court orders liquidation of China's Evergrande

China factory activity shrinks for fourth straight month

Asian equity rally fades despite Wall St records sparked by US data

Asian markets swing as traders eye Fed, US jobs and earnings

SPACEWAR
New mayor hopes trees will cool Athens down

China-funded nickel hub stoking deforestation on Indonesia island: report

Pacific kelp forests are far older that we thought

Soil fungi may help explain the global gradient in forest diversity

SPACEWAR
BlackSky advances to final phase in IARPA's SMART Program to enhance Broad Area Search

Weather forecasting, from space to your smartphone

Innovative AI collaboration between Lockheed Martin and NVIDIA aids NOAA weather forecasting

NOAA's GOES-U satellite set for April launch

SPACEWAR
Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.