TEHRAN – The director of Iran Space Agency announced on Saturday that the domestically manufactured Fajr (Dawn) satellite is undergoing final tests. 

 

Hamid Fazeli also said that the Fajr satellite will be launched into orbit aboard the Safir B1 rocket after successfully undergoing final tests. 

 

The Safir B1 satellite carrier rocket is the upgraded version of the Safir A1 rocket that enjoys more propulsion power compared to its predecessor. 

 

The satellite was scheduled to be sent into space on May 23, but its launch was delayed because it was decided that the satellite should undergo additional tests.  

 

The Fajr, which is Iran’s first new-generation satellite, will be the fourth domestically manufactured satellite to be put into orbit.  

 

The satellite weighs about 50 kilograms and will orbit the earth at an altitude of up to 400 kilometers. It is able to remain in space for a year and a half. The Fajr is also equipped with special micro-motors which enable it to change orbits.    

 

On February 3, Iran successfully launched its third domestically manufactured satellite, named the Navid (Promise), into orbit. On February 8, Iran received the first image sent by the Navid satellite. 

 

Iran launched its first domestically manufactured satellite, called Omid (Hope), into orbit on February 2, 2009. The Rasad (Observation) satellite was also sent into space On June 17, 2011.