File image.
On November 5, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force (IRGCASF) carried out a successful test-launch of a new small-lift orbital space launch vehicle, dubbed Qaem 100.
The test-launch was attended by IRGCASF commander Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh and several senior officials of the country’s armed forces. The rocket successfully reached suborbital space during the test.
Qaem 100 is a three-stage solid-fueled rocket that can put a satellite weighing 80 kg into a 500 kilometers orbit. The first stage of the rocket is reportedly the Raafe solid fuel motor, which successfully passed its static test last January. Raafe can produce 68 tons of thrust. It uses gimballed thrust vector control for steering and has a wound carbon-fiber composite casing reducing weight compared to traditional casing.
The new rocket will be used soon to launch the Nahid communication satellite, which was developed by the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology of Iran.
The successful test-launches comes a day after mass rallies which were held across Iran to mark the National Day of the Fight against Global Arrogance on the anniversary of the United States embassy takeover on 4 November 1978.
Iran has been working to develop indigenous satellite launch capabilities for a long while. The country’s space program saw several setbacks. However, it is now moving forward faster than before.
The United States and its European allies have repeatedly criticized Iran’s space program, claiming that it violates the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council. Tehran, however, maintains that its space program is peaceful in nature.
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