Kavoshgar-1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Kavoshgar-1 | |
 Safir rocket |
|
| Fact sheet | |
|---|---|
| Function | LEO launch vehicle |
| Manufacturer | Iranian Space Agency |
| Country of origin | Iran |
| Size | |
| Height | unknown |
| Diameter | unknown |
| Mass | unknown |
| Stages | 2 (earlier reports saying 3) |
| Capacity | |
| Payload to Suborpital |
unknown |
| Payload to LEO |
unknown |
| Associated Rockets | |
| Family | Shahab? |
| Launch History | |
| Status | In Development |
| Launch sites | Iran Space Center |
| Total launches | 1 or 2 |
| Successes | 1 or 2 |
| Failures | 0 |
| Maiden flight | February 25, 2007 or February 4, 2008 |
Kavoshgar-1 (Explorer-1) is the name of the first Iranian expendable launch vehicle that is able to reach space. The first launch was conducted on February 4, 2008, as announced by state-run television (or maybe on February 25, 2007, as it is unknown if the two rockets launched are of the same type). Kavoshgar-1 is not, or not yet, able to carry a satellite, but only instruments to measure the higher atmosphere. The rocket launched on February 4, 2008, was a liquid propellant driven rocket, probably a derivate of the Shahab-3, that reached an orbit in space at an altitude of 200-250 km and successful returned science data according to the Iranian News Agency.
On February 19, 2008, Iran offered new information about the rocket and announced that Kavoshgar-1 is a two staged rocket.[1] The first stage separated after 100 seconds and returned to earth with the help of a parachute. The second stage continued its ascend to the altitude of 200 kilometres. However it was not intended to reach orbital velocity.
Earlier reports by the Iranian News Agency suggested that Kavoshgar-1 is a three staged rocket with the first stage separating after 90 seconds and the rocket reaching an orbit between 200 and 250 kilometres.[2][3]
The successful development and launch of a sounding-space-rocket was already announced a year earlier, on February 25, 2007. It is unknown if the Sounding Rocket launched on February 25, 2007, and the rocket launched on February 4, 2008, are of the same type.
Iran announced plans to send two more Kavoshgar-1 rockets into space during summer 2008 and four more satellites until 2010. The first one, Omid, will be launched into its 650 km altitude orbit in June 2008. If the Kavoshgar-1 space rocket or a derivate of it will be used for this mission has not been released yet.
Contents |
[edit] Further development
The development of a two- or three-staged rocket to reach space and deploy a satellite (called Omid) is planned by the Iranian Space Agency. Its current capacity is unknown but Iran announced the development of a Shahab-4 for transport of satellites into orbit. A possible stage-configuration of a current or future multiple-stage rocket, was assumed by GlobalSecurity.org analysts in February, 2007. This stage-configuration would consist of the following:
- A first-stage, possibly with added solid rocket boosters
- A second-stage using a SAM-2 propulsion system
- A solid rocket motor third-stage
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Iran's Research Rocket Beams Back Science Data, Space.com
- Iran Launches Rocket, Unveils Space Center, Space.com
- Iran's Sputnik, SpaceRef.com
- Iran rocket claim raises tension, BBC
- Iran: Rocket Launch Another Show Of Prowess, RadioFreeEurope RadioLiberty
- Iran claims space rocket launch, AlJazeera
- Iranians inaugurate space project, BBC
- Iran to Launch 2 More Research Rockets Before Placing Satellite into Orbit This Summer, on Space.com
