From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Iranian Space Agency (ISA) is a governmental space agency.

The president of Iranian Space Agency is one of the deputies of the ministry of communication and information technology. ISA was established to conduct research in the field of space and aero technology. This fields include remote sensing and development of national and international space technology and communication networks. Iranian Space Agency performs the approvals of the Iran Space Council(ISC), which is established in order to peacefully use space technology and science and the above atmosphere space to develop the culture, technology science and finance of the country.

Contents 1 Launch Vehicles 2 Space Centers 3 Future Projects 4 See also 5 References 6 External links

Iran is known to have developed a satellite launch vehicle of the Shahab family quite similar with the DPRK's Taepodong 2 named IRIS. On February 25, 2007, the Iranian state-run television has announced that a rocket, carrying unspecified cargo created by the ministries of science and defence, was successfully launched.^[1] Later reports stated that the rocket was not intended for the orbital flight, being a sounding rocket. After reaching the altitude of about 150 kilometers, it was designed to descend back to Earth using a parachute. The US Military has doubts about this launch since it was claimed not to have been detected by NORAD.^[2]

The main launch site of the Iranian Space Agency is Emamshahr, located at 36°25′0″N, 55°01′0″E, where suborbital Shahab 3s LV have been launched. Qom, located at 34°39′0″N, 50°54′0″E, is the other launch site.

Although Sinah-1, the first Iranian satellite has been built and launched by the Russians on October 28, 2005 on a Kosmos-3 booster rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, making Iran the 43rd country to possess its own satellite. Iran still hopes to become a satellite-launching nation.

The second Iranian satellite, Sinah-2 should be launched in 2008 also on a Russian rocket ^[3].

The next Iranian satellite, Mesbah should be built by Iran with Italian assistance and launched on a domestically made rocket.

The Sahab-4 rocket still in development with an estimated range of 2000 miles is said to be able to launch satellites in space.

The Iranian Space Agency director has declared in 2005 that in order to reach her ambitious goal of ranking among the top 8 spacefaring nations, the government would allocate for the next five years, USD 500 millions to the space program ^[4].

According to Mehran Mirshams, deputy head of Iran Aerospace Association, Iranian experts are currently engaged in the development of five satellite projects including Zohreh, Mesbah, ZS4, SM2S and Sepehr ^[5].

The IRNA press agency has revealed in November 21, 2005 that Iran was proceeding with her manned space program with the development of a small spacecraft and a space lab ^[6].

• IRIS (missile)
• Zohreh Satellite
• Sinah-1, Iranian satellite
• Mesbah
• List of Iranian Research Centers
• Iran Aviation Industries Organization

v • d • e  Space Exploration Lists and Timelines
Timeline of spaceflight • List of human spaceflight programs • List of human spaceflights • List of space travelers • List of astronauts by name •  List of astronauts by selection • Timeline of astronauts by nationality • List of Apollo astronauts • List of NASA missions • List of spacewalks and moonwalks • List of Space Shuttle missions • Timeline of Space Shuttle missions • Space Shuttle crews • List of Mir Expeditions • List of Mir visiting spacecrafts and crews • List of Mir spacewalks • List of manned spaceflights to the ISS • List of ISS Expeditions • List of ISS visitors • List of ISS spacewalks • List of unmanned spaceflights to the ISS • List of Chinese spaceflights• List of Constellation missions
Landings on other planets • List of planetary probes • Timeline of artificial satellites and space probes • List of objects at Lagrangian points • List of artificial objects on extra-terrestrial surfaces • List of artificial objects on the Moon • List of artificial objects on Venus • List of artificial objects on Mars • Timeline of Earth science satellites • List of Earth observation satellites
List of space exploration milestones, 1957-1969 • Space firsts • Spaceflight records • Timeline of first orbital launches by nationality • Timeline of Solar System exploration • Timeline of the Space Race
List of manned spacecraft • List of unmanned spacecraft by program • List of spacecraft • List of launch vehicles • Timeline of rocket and missile technology • List of space agencies • List of private spaceflight companies

1. ^ Iran announces rocket launch, believed part of commercial satellite project. International Herald Tribune (February 25, 2007). Retrieved on February 25, 2007.
2. ^ US doubts Iranian space launch claim. AFP (February 25, 2007). Retrieved on February 27, 2007.
3. ^ Iran plans second satellite launch. Aljazeera (April 10, 2006). Retrieved on September 14, 2006.
4. ^ http://military.china.com/zh_cn/critical/25/20051215/12947239.html
5. ^ Iran Will Launch Satellite Next Week. Iran-daily (October 22, 2005). Retrieved on September 14, 2006.
6. ^ http://www.irna.ir/ch/news/view/menu-332/0511213283154918.html

• Iran Space Agency website
• Iran space program
• Shahab SLV
• Aerospace Industries Organization