“Three Iranian satellites have been successfully launched into orbit for the first time,” Iran’s state television reported. The two-stage Simorgh rocket system carried the satellites and launched them into an orbit at least 450 kilometers above the Earth’s surface.
Iran's Simorgh (Phoenix) satellite launch rocket system on a launch pad at an undisclosed location on January 28, 2024. Photo: Iran's Defense Ministry
The official IRNA news agency said the Mahda satellite weighs about 32 kg and was developed by the Iran Space Agency and is designed to test advanced satellite subsystems.
The remaining two, Kayhan 2 and Hatef, each weighing less than 10 kg, are intended to test space-based positioning technology and narrowband communications, IRNA added.
Last week, Iran's Revolutionary Guard sent the Soraya research satellite into space.
Britain, France and Germany condemned the launch. Western countries have repeatedly warned Iran against such launches, saying the same technology could be used for ballistic missiles, including those designed to carry nuclear warheads.
Iran has denied that it is developing nuclear weapons and that its satellite and missile launches are for civilian or defensive purposes only. Iran has suffered several satellite launch failures in the past.
The successful launch of their first military satellite into orbit, Nour-1, in April 2020 was met with harsh criticism from the US.
Tehran has been subject to US sanctions since Washington withdrew in 2018 from the nuclear deal, which gave Iran sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear activities.
Iran has always denied any ambitions to develop nuclear weapons capabilities, insisting that its activities are entirely for peaceful purposes.
Mai Anh (according to AFP, CNA, Reuters)
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