Iranian Space Agency facts for kids

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Iranian Space Agency
(ISA)
Agency overview
Official logo of ISA
Abbreviation	ISA
Formed	1 February 2004; 21 years ago (2004-02-01)
Type	Space agency
Headquarters	Tehran, Mahdasht, Shahrud, Qom
Administrator	Hassan Salarieh
Primary spaceport	Imam Khomeini Spaceport
Owner	Ministry of Information and Communications Technology of Iran
Annual budget	$4.6 million (FY 2017)

The Iranian Space Agency (ISA, Persian: سازمان فضایی ایران Sāzmān-e Fazāi-ye Irān) is Iran's official government space agency. It is the main group in Iran that does space research and operations. Iran became a country that could launch things into orbit in 2009. Iran is also one of the 24 countries that helped start the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) in 1958.

History of the ISA

The ISA was created on February 28, 2004. It was set up by a law passed by the Parliament of Iran. The ISA's job is to manage all peaceful space activities in Iran. A special group called the Supreme Council of Space leads these efforts. The President of Iran is in charge of this council.

The council's main goals include using space technology for peaceful purposes. They also aim to build, launch, and use Iran's own research satellites. The ISA also helps private companies get involved in space activities. It also works with other countries on space projects.

The ISA works under the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology of Iran. The head of the ISA is also a Vice-Minister.

In 2015, Iran's space program was paused for a while. This happened due to international pressures. But in 2021, President Raisi restarted the program.

ISA's Budget

The money set aside for the Iranian Space Agency changes over time. For example, in 2017, the budget was about US$4.6 million. Other groups involved in space also get their own money.

Rockets for Satellites

Noor satellite launch

Iran has developed several rockets to launch satellites into space. These are called Satellite Launch Vehicles (SLVs).

Safir Rocket

The Safir SLV is a rocket designed to carry satellites. It is 22 meters (about 72 feet) tall. It has two parts that use liquid fuel. The Safir-1B is an improved version. It can carry a satellite weighing 60 kilograms (about 132 pounds). It can put satellites into an elliptical orbit between 300 and 450 kilometers high. The engine of the Safir-1B is more powerful.

Simorgh Rocket

In 2010, Iran built a stronger rocket called Simorgh. This rocket is made to carry heavier satellites into orbit. The Simorgh rocket is 27 meters (about 89 feet) long. It weighs 77 tons. Its first part has four main engines. These engines create a lot of power. The Simorgh can put a 350-kilogram (about 770 pounds) satellite into a Low Earth orbit 500 kilometers (about 310 miles) high. The first Simorgh rocket flew on April 19, 2016.

Zuljanah Rocket

On February 1, 2021, Iran successfully tested a new rocket called "Zuljanah". This rocket can carry satellites weighing up to 220 kilograms (about 485 pounds). It can put them into an orbit 500 kilometers high. The Zuljanah rocket has three parts. Two parts use solid fuel, and the last part uses liquid fuel.

Qoqnoos Rocket

In 2013, the head of the ISA mentioned a new rocket called Qoqnoos. This rocket is planned to carry even heavier satellites. It will be used after the Simorgh SLV.

Soroush 1 & 2 Rockets

The ISA also plans to build two more powerful rockets. They are named "Soroush" 1 and 2. These rockets will be able to carry very heavy payloads. They could put 8 tons and 15 tons into a 200-kilometer orbit.

Space Launches

The Simorgh SLV in its servicing tower.

Iran has launched many rockets into space. Some have gone into orbit, and others have gone on shorter sub-orbital flights.

Satellites Launched into Orbit

On August 17, 2008, Iran launched a Safir rocket. It carried a dummy satellite into orbit. This was a test launch. On February 2, 2009, Iran launched its first satellite made in Iran. It was called Omid, which means "Hope." The Safir rocket carried it into Low Earth orbit. This made Iran the 9th country to put its own satellite into orbit. This launch happened on the 30th anniversary of the Iranian Revolution.

Iran plans to send heavier satellites into higher orbits in the future. They are also building a new launch base for this.

Sub-orbital Flights

Sub-orbital flights go into space but do not orbit Earth. They go up and then come back down. On February 4, 2008, Iran successfully launched a rocket called Kavoshgar-1 (Explorer-1). This was a test flight from a new launch site in Shahroud. The rocket went up to 250 kilometers (about 155 miles). It sent back information about the atmosphere.

The second Kavoshgar rocket, Kavoshgar-2, was launched in November 2008. It carried a space-lab. More recently, Iran has launched sub-orbital satellites on Simorgh and Zuljanah rockets.

Animals in Space

Iran is one of the few countries that have sent animals in space.

On February 3, 2010, Iran launched a Kavoshgar-3 rocket. It carried a rodent, two turtles, and several worms. They went into space and came back alive. This was Iran's first time sending living things into space.
In September 2011, a mission to send a live monkey failed.
On January 29, 2013, Iran announced that a monkey was sent into space. It returned safely aboard the Pishgam capsule. It reached a height of 120 kilometers (about 75 miles). This was the first time Iran sent a primate into space.
On December 14, 2013, Iran launched a second monkey named Fargam. It also returned safely after a short flight.
On December 6, 2023, Iran launched a new capsule with living things. It was a test for future human missions. The capsule weighed 500 kilograms (about 1,100 pounds). It went 130 kilometers (about 80 miles) high.

Satellites in Space

Iran is the 9th country to put its own satellite into orbit using its own rocket.

Satellites Launched by Iran

Omid, Iran's first satellite placed into orbit with own launcher.

Here are some of the satellites Iran has launched:

Sina-1: Launched in 2005 with Russia's help. It made Iran the 43rd country to have its own satellite.
Environment 1: A research satellite launched in 2008. It was a joint project with China and Thailand. It helps with natural disaster monitoring.
Omid: Iran's first satellite launched by its own rocket in February 2009. It was for research and communications.
Rasad-1: An imaging satellite launched in 2011. It sent back pictures of Earth.
Navid-e Elm-o Sanat: An experimental satellite launched in 2012. It tested cameras and communication gear.
Fajr: An imaging satellite launched in 2015. It had an experimental GPS system.
Toloo: A detector satellite that was not successfully launched into orbit.
Dousti: A satellite for Earth observation. Its launch failed in 2019.
AUT-SAT: A small satellite for remote sensing. Its launch failed in 2019.
Zafar 1: A communication satellite launched in 2020. It did not reach the correct speed to stay in orbit.
Noor: A military satellite launched successfully in April 2020.
Noor-2: Iran's second military satellite, launched in March 2022.
Khayyam: A high-resolution imaging satellite launched by a Russian rocket in August 2022.
Nahid-1: Launched in March 2023, but the launch failed.
Noor-3: The third Noor satellite, launched in September 2023. It takes pictures with good resolution.
Soraya: A remote sensing satellite launched in January 2024.
Mehda, Kayhan 2, and Hatef 1: Three satellites launched together by a Simorgh rocket in January 2024. This was the first time Iran launched more than one satellite successfully.
Pars 1: A remote sensing satellite launched by a Russian rocket in February 2024. It scans Iran's land.

Future Satellites

Iran has plans for many more satellites:

Nasir 1: For satellite navigation.
Sharif: An observation satellite.
Mesbah: A communication satellite.
Qaem: A communication satellite planned for 2016.
Pars Sepehr and Pars-2: Remote sensing satellites.
Zohreh: A communication satellite that has been planned for a long time.
Ekvator: A communication satellite to be launched by Russia.
Kausar and Hodhod: Two sensing and telecommunication satellites.
Toloo 3: A small satellite for black-and-white and color photos.
Nahid-2: A communication satellite.
Zafar-2: For high-resolution maps and aerial photos.

Space Centers

Map of locations of significant facilities of the Iranian Space Agency

Iran has several important places for its space program. The main launch site is in Shahrud. Another launch site is in Qom. On February 4, 2008, Iran opened its first Satellite Launch Center in Semnan city. This center has a control room, a tracking station, and a launchpad. A new national spaceport called Imam Khomeini Spaceport is being built in Semnan. This new port will be used for all future Iranian space missions. It is like the American Kennedy Space Center. In 2013, Iran opened a space monitoring center near Delijan. This center tracks objects and satellites in space using radar and other systems. Iran is also building a space center in Chabahar. It is expected to be ready for international launches by 2031.

Internet Satellites

The Iranian government has announced plans for an internet satellite. This satellite aims to provide internet access.

Human Spaceflight Program

Iran has wanted to send a human to space for a long time. They first talked about it in 1990 with the Soviet Union. In 2008, Iran said it wanted to send a human into space within ten years. This was a top goal for the country. In 2010, President Ahmadinejad said Iran's first astronaut should go to space by 2019. The plan was to first have sub-orbital flights (not orbiting Earth) to prepare. In 2010, Iran launched a capsule with a rat, two turtles, and a worm. In 2011, they launched a test capsule for a monkey. Sadly, a mission to send a monkey in 2011 failed. The rocket was destroyed. On February 17, 2015, Iran showed a model of a spaceship for astronauts. This program was paused in 2017. But in 2021, they started preparing to send a human to space by 2026. On December 6, 2023, Iran launched animals into space again. This is part of their plan to send an Iranian astronaut to space by 2029.

Space Station Plans

There have been talks about Iran joining the future Chinese space station program. This could mean sending Iranian astronauts there. Or it could mean helping to build a space lab module.

Lunar Program

In 2012, Iran announced plans to send a human to the Moon by 2025. However, experts were doubtful because Iran's rockets can only send small things to low Earth orbit right now.