Iran Expands Orbital Presence with Successful Chamran Satellite Launch

Iran successfully launched the domestically designed Chamran-1 research satellite into orbit. Independent scientists later confirmed the launch and that the satellite had reached orbit. This is Iran’s second successful space launch this year after experiencing several failed satellite launches due to technical problems in recent years.

What do we know about the Chamran 1 launch?

The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Air and Space Force launched the Shamran-1 satellite into orbit on 14 September.

Footage released by Iranian media showed the launch from a mobile launcher at the Guards’ launch pad near the city of Shahroud, about 350 kilometres (215 miles) east of the capital.

A few hours after the launch, the Chamran 1 satellite sent its first signals.

The Ghaem-100 space launch vehicle (SLV) put the 60-kilogram research satellite into a 550-kilometre orbit.

The successful launch of Chamran 1 is expected to support future space missions by improving Iran’s general expertise in satellite manoeuvring and space technology.

Mission and Objective

The mission of Chamran-1 ‘is to test hardware and software systems to demonstrate orbital altitude and phase manoeuvring technology, as well as to evaluate the cold gas propulsion subsystem in space systems and the performance of navigation and orientation subsystems,’ state media reported.

The satellite was jointly designed and built by the IRGC and Iran Electronics Industries (SAIran), a subsidiary of the Ministry of Defence, in cooperation with the Aerospace Research Institute and private sector firms.

Space launch ‘without warning’

Iran and North Korea are the only space launch-capable countries that are not signatories to the Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCoC).

Because of this, Iran did not give advance notice and warning of its launch of the Qaem 100 rocket and Chamran 1 satellite.

No Notices to Airmen and Mariners (NOTAMs) were issued before launch as required by the HCoC. Such notices reduce the likelihood of false missile launch alarms.  

Iranian state media reported the launch on 14 September as a matter of fact.