Omid (satellite)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. WikiProject Spaceflight or the Spaceflight Portal may be able to help recruit one. |
This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. WikiProject Iran or the Iran Portal may be able to help recruit one. |
Omid (Persian: امید, Hope)[1] is an Iranian research satellite.[2] It is intended to be the first satellite launched by an Iranian carrier rocket. After launch, it will be placed into a low Earth orbit.
Speaking at the opening of a new space centre, on 4 February 2008, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the President of Iran announced that Omid would be launched in "the near future"[3] (March 2008). It has been reported that launch will occur in June 2008.[4]
An Iranian-made rocket, Kavoshgar-1, is designed to send the Omid satellite into orbit.[5] A report by the Russian news agency Novosti quoted unnamed experts as saying that the Kavoshgar-1 vehicle may be a variant of the Iranian Shahab-3 missile.[6]
If successfully launched, Omid will be Iran's second satellite in orbit. A previous Iranian satellite, Sinah-1, was built and launched for Iran by Russia in 2005.[6]
[edit] References
- ^ Iran launches first space research center. individual.com (February 4, 2008). Retrieved on 2008-02-04.
- ^ Iran launches first space research unit. IRNA (February 4, 2008). Retrieved on 2008-02-04.
- ^ DEBKAfile - Iran launches first space research rocket Safir 1
- ^ USA Today - Iran space rocket successfully transmits data
- ^ Iran's Kavoshgar I lifts off for space. Press TV (2008-02-04).
- ^ a b Iran tests sounding rocket, unveils first homemade satellite. RIA Novosti (February 4, 2008). Retrieved on 2008-02-04.