safir (rocket)
{{Short description|Iranian satellite rocket}}
{{Distinguish|Saphir (rocket)}}
{{infobox rocket
|image =Safir navid 1.jpg
|imsize =
|caption = Safir's 2012 launch from Semnan Space Center with Navid satellite as its payload
|name = Safir
|function = LEO launch vehicle
|manufacturer = Iranian Space Agency
|country-origin = Iran
|height = 22 m (72ft)
|diameter = 1.25 m (4.10ft)
|mass = 26,000 kg
|stages = 2
|capacities =
{{Infobox rocket/Payload
|location = LEO
|kilos = {{convert|50|kg}}}}
|status = Retired
|sites = Semnan Space Center
|launches = 7 (1 unconfirmed)
(+2 test flights)
|success = 4
|fail = 3 (1 unconfirmed)
|first = 17 August 2008
|last = 5 February 2019
|stagedata =
{{Infobox Rocket/Stage
|type = stage
|stageno = First
|engines = 1 × modified Shahab-3 engine
|thrust = {{cvt|363|kN}}
|burntime =
|SI =
|fuel = {{N2O4}} / UDMH{{cn|date=December 2024}}
|length =
|diameter =
}}
{{Infobox Rocket/Stage
|type = stage
|stageno = Second
|engines = 2 × LRE-4 (R-27 Zyb vernier engines)
|thrust = {{cvt|35|kN}}
|SI =
|burntime =
|length =
|diameter =
}}
}}
The Safir ({{langx|fa|سفیر}}, meaning "ambassador") was the first Iranian expendable launch vehicle able to place a satellite in orbit.{{Cite news |editor-last=Liffey |editor-first=Kevin |last1=Hafezi |first1=Parisa |date=17 August 2008 |title=Iran says it has put first dummy satellite in orbit |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSHAF75296620080817/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530153217/https://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSHAF75296620080817 |archive-date=30 May 2023 |access-date=17 August 2008 |publisher=Reuters }} The first successful orbital launch using the Safir launch system took place on 2 February 2009 when a Safir carrier rocket placed the Omid satellite into an orbit with a {{convert |245.2|km|adj=on|abbr=on}} apogee.{{Cite web |title=OMID Spacecraft - Trajectory Details |url=https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2009-004A |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209215607/https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2009-004A |archive-date=9 December 2023 |website=NSSDCA Master Catalog |publisher=NASA |id=2009-004A }}{{cite web|url=http://www.mda.mil/system/threat.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091105194919/http://www.mda.mil/system/threat.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2009-11-05|title=The Threat|publisher=US Missile Defense Agency}} This made Iran the ninth nation capable of producing and launching a satellite.{{Cite web|last=Clark|first=Stephen|date=2 February 2009|title=Iran Launches Omid Satellite Into Orbit|url=https://www.space.com/5432-iran-launches-omid-satellite-orbit.html|access-date=2021-04-05|website=Space.com|language=en}}
The Simorgh is a larger orbital launcher based on Safir technology which has since replaced the Safir, and is sometimes called the Safir-2.
Design and specifications
The Safir measures 1.25 meters in diameter, 22 meters in height and has a launching mass of 26 tons. The rocket consists of two stages; The first stage utilizes an upgraded Nodong/Shahab-3 type engine which burns a hypergolic combination of UDMH as fuel and nitrogen tetroxide as oxidant, producing 37 tons (363 kN; 82,500 lbf) of thrust. The second stage utilizes a pair of smaller gimballed engines called LRE-4, fed by a common turbopump (originally the Vernier engines of the R-27 Zyb Soviet SLBM{{Cite web|title=Soviet R-27 SLBM and the reuse of its steering engines by North Korea and Iran|url=http://www.b14643.de/Spacerockets/Specials/R-27/index.htm|access-date=2021-04-05|website=www.b14643.de}}) burning the same fuel combination as the first stage and producing 3.5 tons (35 kN; 7700 lbf) of thrust. This configuration gives Safir the ability to inject a payload with a maximum weight of 50 kilograms into low Earth orbit.{{Cite web |title=Safir-1A/B IRILV |url=http://www.b14643.de/Spacerockets_1/Rest_World/Safir-1B-IRILV/Description/Frame.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240810192631/http://www.b14643.de/Spacerockets_1/Rest_World/Safir-1B-IRILV/Description/Frame.htm |archive-date=2024-08-10 |access-date=2021-04-05 |website=www.b14643.de}}
Variants
=Kavoshgar-1=
Kavoshgar-1 ({{langx|fa|کاوشگر ۱}}, "Explorer-1") was Safir's precursor used as a sounding rocket, a sub-orbital flight was conducted on 4 February 2008, as announced by state-run television. A launch on 25 February 2007 may also have been of the same type. The flight carried instruments to measure the higher atmosphere. The rocket launched on 4 February 2008 was a liquid-propellant-driven rocket, a derivative of the Shahab-3, that reached an altitude of 200–250 km in space, and successfully returned science data according to the Iranian News Agency.{{Cite web|last=ایران|first=پایگاه اطلاع رسانی شبکه خبر صدا و سیمای جمهوری اسلامی|date=2015-04-06|title=نگاهی به توانمندی ایران در بخش موشک های ماهواره بر و نظامی|url=http://www.irinn.ir/fa/news/86472|access-date=2021-04-05|publisher=Islamic Republic of Iran News Network|language=fa}}{{Dead link|date=May 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite news|year=2008|title=Iran's Research Rocket Beams Back Science Data|agency=Associated Press|publisher=Space.com|url=http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/ap-080217-iran-rocket-science.html|access-date=2009-01-11}}
On 19 February 2008, Iran offered new information about the rocket and announced that Kavoshgar-1 used a two staged rocket. The first stage separated after 100 seconds and returned to earth with the help of a parachute. The second stage continued its ascent to an altitude of 200 kilometers.{{cite web|title=The Launch of the Iranian Kavoshgar Rocket|date=March 5, 2008|author=Yiftah Shapir|url=https://www.inss.org.il/publication/the-launch-of-the-iranian-kavoshgar-rocket/|publisher=The Institute for National Security Studies|access-date=March 19, 2023}}
=Safir-1A=
The Safir-1A is the first upgraded variant of the original Safir, these upgrades include, refinement of the second stage retro-rockets, stage separation systems, various sensors and telemetry systems, navigation and control systems, as well as increasing maximum orbit height from 250 to 275 kilometers.{{Cite web |date=1 February 2021 |title="Zoljanah" ozv-e jadid-e eskadrān-e mahvāre-barhā-ye Irāni shod |script-title=fa:"ذوالجناح" عضو جدید اسکادران ماهوارهبرهای ایرانی شد |trans-title="Zoljanah" Became the New Member of the Iranian Satellite Carrier Squadron |url=https://www.isna.ir/news/99111409999/ذوالجناح-عضو-جدید-اسکادران-ماهواره-برهای-ایرانی-شد |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201232825/https://www.isna.ir/news/99111409999/ذوالجناح-عضو-جدید-اسکادران-ماهواره-برهای-ایرانی-شد |archive-date=1 February 2021 |access-date=5 April 2021 |website=ایسنا |publisher=Iranian Students' News Agency |language=fa }}{{Cite web |date=18 August 2013 |title=Khānevāde-ye mahvāre-barhā-ye 'Safir' rā behtar beshenāsid |script-title=fa:خانواده ماهوارهبرهای 'سفیر' را بهتر بشناسید |trans-title=Get to Know the 'Safir' Satellite Carrier Family Better |url=https://www.mashreghnews.ir/news/241834/خانواده-ماهواره-برهای-سفیر-را-بهتر-بشناسید |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240421193124/https://www.mashreghnews.ir/news/241834/خانواده-ماهواره-برهای-سفیر-را-بهتر-بشناسید |archive-date=21 April 2024 |access-date=5 April 2021 |website=مشرق نیوز |language=fa }}
=Safir-1B=
The Safir-1B is a further upgrade of the Safir-1A design, the first-stage engine has been upgraded and refined, resulting in an increase in thrust from 32 to 37 tons (363 kN; 82,500 lbf), the second stage engine has been upgraded with thrust vector control capability and has been made more efficient. These upgrades have increased payload capability to 50 kilograms, and have increased maximum orbit height to 400 kilometers.
Retirement
During the unveiling ceremony of the Zuljanah satellite launch vehicle on the state TV, Seyed Ahmad Husseini, the spokesman of the Ministry of Defense's Aerospace Organization stated that the Safir launch vehicle is in a state of retirement and no further launches are planned with this vehicle.{{Cite web |date=29 January 2020 |title=Negāhi be mahvāre-barhā-ye Irāni (Safir va Simorgh) |script-title=fa:نگاهی به ماهواره برهای ایرانی (سفیر و سیمرغ ) |trans-title=A Look at Iranian Satellite Carriers (Safir and Simorgh) |url=https://astronomers.ir/4243/safirsimorgh-rocket/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240421194635/http://www.astronomers.ir/4243/safirsimorgh-rocket/ |archive-date=21 April 2024 |access-date=5 April 2021 |website=گروه آموزشی زانکو |language=fa-IR }}{{Cite web|date=2020-01-28|title="سفیر" رسما بازنشسته شد تا "سیمرغ" مهیای سفر فضایی شود/ طلسم استفاده ماهوارهبر ایرانی از سوخت جامد با سریر و سروش میشکند؟ +عکس|url=https://www.mashreghnews.ir/news/1036082/سفیر-رسما-بازنشسته-شد-تا-سیمرغ-مهیای-سفر-فضایی-شود-طلسم|access-date=2021-04-05|website=مشرق نیوز|language=fa}}{{Cite web |title=Sokhanguy-e goruh-e fazāyi-ye vezārat-e defā: mahvāre-barhā-ye "Sarir" va "Sorush" ronamāyi mishavand / be donbāl-e mahvāre-bar-e sukhte jāmed hastim - akhbār-e nezāmi {{!}} Def - akhbār-e siāsi Tasnim |script-title=fa:سخنگوی گروه فضایی وزارت دفاع: ماهوارهبرهای "سریر" و "سروش" رونمایی میشوند/ به دنبال ماهوارهبر سوخت جامد هستیم- اخبار نظامی {{!}} دف - اخبار سیاسی تسنیم |trans-title=Spokesperson of the Space Group of the Ministry of Defense: "Sarir" and "Sorush" Satellite Carriers Will Be Unveiled / We Are Pursuing Solid Fuel Satellite Carriers - Military News {{!}} Def - Political News |url=https://www.tasnimnews.com/fa/news/1398/11/07/2190870/سخنگوی-گروه-فضایی-وزارت-دفاع-ماهواره-برهای-سریر-و-سروش-رونمایی-می-شوند-به-دنبال-ماهواره-بر-سوخت-جامد-هستیم |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240421193127/https://www.tasnimnews.com/fa/news/1398/11/07/2190870/سخنگوی-گروه-فضایی-وزارت-دفاع-ماهواره-برهای-سریر-و-سروش-رونمایی-می-شوند-به-دنبال-ماهواره-بر-سوخت-جامد-هستیم |archive-date=21 April 2024 |access-date=5 April 2021 |website=خبرگزاری تسنیم {{!}} Tasnim |language=fa }}
Launch history
Safir made eight launches in its operational career, putting four satellites into orbit.
{{clear}}
File:2019-08-29 Safir launch failure.jpg after rocket explosion of 29 August 2019 during launch preparation]]
Gallery
File:Safir navid 2.jpg|2012 launch of navid satellite
File:Omid 0650.jpg|Safir at an exhibition at the Mosalla of Tehran
File:Omid 0658.jpg|Safir first-stage engine
See also
Other Iranian satellite launch vehicles
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Commons category|Safir}}
- [http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/ap-080217-iran-rocket-science.html Iran's Research Rocket Beams Back Science Data], Space.com
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20080723223344/http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/ap-080204-iran-satellite-launch.html Iran Launches Rocket, Unveils Space Center], Space.com
- [https://archive.today/20130104174506/http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewnews.html?id=1197 Iran's Sputnik], SpaceRef.com
- [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6394387.stm Iran rocket claim raises tension], BBC
- [http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2007/02/697D9B52-7021-4A62-86F6-F320D4B6B0F9.html Iran: Rocket Launch Another Show Of Prowess], RadioFreeEurope RadioLiberty
- [http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/FF82939E-AB77-4219-BC19-56C5D9951E9E.htm Iran claims space rocket launch], AlJazeera
- [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7225699.stm Iranians inaugurate space project], BBC
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20090208173617/http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/ap-080211-iran-two-satellites.html Iran to Launch 2 More Research Rockets Before Placing Satellite into Orbit This Summer], on Space.com
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20090214025608/http://www.alalam.ir/english/en-NewsPage.asp?newsid=031030120080817185546 Iran Launches Indigenous Carrier Rocket]
{{Iranian Space Program}}
{{Expendable launch systems}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Safir (Rocket)}}
Category:Ballistic missiles of Iran
Category:Space launch vehicles of Iran