Iran’s New National Fajr Satellite in Orbit
Local Editor
Iran successfully launched its fourth home-made satellite into space amid rocket tests.
State television in Iran reported that the Islamic Republic had launched a new satellite into space, its fourth in recent years to orbit the Earth.
The report quoted Defense Minister Gen. Hussein Dehghan saying the satellite, designed and built in Iran, is named "Fajr," or dawn in Farsi.
The satellite was launched to mark the second day of celebrations on the occasion of victory of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani congratulated the great nation of Iran on the successful launch of Fajr satellite and said the Iranian scientists have entered a new phase in space sciences.
"Thank God, today Fajr National Satellite was launched into space by domestic launcher named Safir-e-Fajr," he said.
Moreover, he stated that the government is determined to press ahead with the development of the aerospace technology, stating, "God willing, we will take further steps until we can meet our national requirements in the aerospace field in the coming years."
Fajr was put into elliptical orbit of 250 to 400 kilometers aboard Safir launch vehicle. It is equipped with GPS navigation system.
Vice President for Scientific and Technological Affairs SorenaSattari had already said that Iran had plans to inaugurate the project soon.
The satellite made its first contact with its ground stations hours after it was put into the orbit, director of space projects at Iran Electronics Industries company, Mehdi Sarvi, told IRNA on Monday.
"We should wait for Fajr satellite to complete its next missions," he added.
Equipped with GPS navigation system, Fajr, weighing 52 kilos, is the fourth Iranian-made satellite which was put into orbit after three others between 2009 and 2012.
After Iran launched its first locally-built satellite, Omid [Hope], in 2009, it put two other satellites including, Rasad [Observation], and Navid-e Elm-o Sanat [Harbinger of Science and Industry] into space.
The satellite's launch came amid negotiations with world powers over Iran's peaceful nuclear program.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
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