Author Topic: Iran's Space Center (Read 6318 times)

Catsoo · « **on:** January 15, 2010, 04:34:42 AM »

Warning: Source is Zionist

Massive Construction Visible at Iran's Missile & Space Center at Semnan

Extensive infrastructure developments are evident in the following satellite imagery, obtained by the Israeli Eros-B satellite. The images are superimposed on an earlier image, available through Google Earth, taken around 2007. Images: Background image, GoogleEarth. Inserts: Imagesat International.

The Safir satellite launcher erected, ready to launch from the active launch pad at Semnan. Photo: Imagesat.

Another new facility at Semnan is the missile integration center, where payloads are fitted to the missile. (such as the Omid satellite launched earlier this year). Photo: Imagesat

Another new facility at Semnan is the missile integration center, where payloads are fitted to the missile. (such as the Omid satellite launched earlier this year). Photo: Imagesat

East of the active site, the Iranians are constructing a new facility that could be supporting the Iranian solid rocket propulsion development, associated with the Sejjil and Ashura missiles or even larger missiles. Another site, prepared few kilometers south of the new construction area seems to be abandoned. Photo: Imagesat.

Above: Another image, taken 27 November, 2009 showing the construction progress at the site, with a siezable gantry tower constructed at the launch site, with an associated launch pad, and fully constructed flame bucket diverting the missile's exhaust gases from the hillside. The launch site is linked through separate tubing, to a nearby, sheltered underground facility located at the upper left hillside. A bew construction located close to the launcher, shown at the lower righth side of the picture, could be a protected observation site to be provided with video and recording systems. (Photo: Imagesat)

http://www.defense-update.com/photos/semnan_space_center_200509.html#2

mamdali · « **Reply #1 on:** January 15, 2010, 05:15:06 AM »

Plug these coords into Google Maps: 35.234440° N, 53.920798°E

Article: http://www.armscontrolwonk.com/2589/google-_finally_-shows-iri-space-center#comment

I think it may be cool to create a dedicated section to Iran's space activities. Obviously very important topic and important progress by the IRI.

Mamdali

Catsoo · « **Reply #2 on:** January 15, 2010, 06:02:24 AM »

Mamdali,

As you can see, there is such a thread! I moved your post.

catsoo

mamdali · « **Reply #3 on:** January 15, 2010, 02:46:48 PM »

Excellent, thanks! I didn't see these before. I was wondering perhaps this subject is worthy to being promoted to a 'first order' section as opposed to an embedded section in 'Air Forces' at some point?

Thanks!

Mamdali

Catsoo · « **Reply #4 on:** January 15, 2010, 03:15:53 PM »

Mamdali,

We are working on some new ideas.

Catsoo

mamdali · « **Reply #5 on:** January 15, 2010, 04:37:59 PM »

Got it. Taxonomies are always tough. But you guys are doing a bang up job. Good work!

mamdali

Catsoo · « **Reply #6 on:** January 16, 2010, 06:16:45 AM »

Collection of Iran SLV technology photos:

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Omid

catsoo

mamdali · « **Reply #7 on:** March 06, 2010, 03:39:02 AM »

Janes reported there is a new launch pad approximately '4 miles north east' of the Semnan Space Center (35.234440° N, 53.920798°E). I looked and there is a complex at 35.258419,53.954646. But to my inexperienced eyes, I can't say if it is indeed a new launch pad-although there is a pretty tall gantry-like structure there. Then there is a bunch of buildings here at 35.244322,53.934803.

Update: Confirmed. Here is indeed the new launch pad and image from IHS from one angle: http://press.ihs.com/photo_display.cfm?photo_id=373 which I'm pretty sure matches Google's image at 35.258419,53.954646 from another angle. Great imagery from two different angles.

This is tremendous!

Mamdali

Eagle2009 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 06, 2010, 07:31:28 AM »

Well that makes sense..the Structure N. Korea had to build for the Unha-2 (similar to Simorgh but a little bigger) was also fairly extensive...

Here is a pic of the Structure for the Unha-2:

Kabbalah · « **Reply #9 on:** March 06, 2010, 07:41:38 AM »

Another picture from the launchpad a half year ago (not very HD though}
BTW i didnt realize what it so tremendous?

Pasdar · « **Reply #10 on:** March 06, 2010, 08:51:51 AM »

What a huge facility indeed.

mamdali · « **Reply #11 on:** March 06, 2010, 02:48:21 PM »

Quote from: Kabbalah on March 06, 2010, 07:41:38 AM

Another picture from the launchpad a half year ago (not very HD though}
BTW i didnt realize what it so tremendous?

I meant tremendous progress. The space program is of huge strategic significance and the pace of progress is impressive. These must be exciting times for Iranian scientists and engineers.

Mamdali

Catsoo · « **Reply #12 on:** March 06, 2010, 04:23:43 PM »

New Iran rocket launch site shows NKorea links

5 March 2010 LONDON - Iran is building a new rocket launch site a short distance from an existing complex in the north of the country, and seems to be working with North Korea, information group IHS Jane’s said Friday.

Construction visible from satellite imagery of the new site, near the city of Semnan east of Tehran, seems to suggest that Tehran has been collaborating with Pyongyang, said the London-based defence intelligence group.
Iran unveiled the Simorgh space-launch vehicle (SLV) on February 3, but had not yet publicly revealed the location of the rocket’s launch complex, it reported.
But Jane’s said it had observed a new launch pad four kilometres (6.5 miles) northeast of the existing Semnan site on a satellite image dated February 6, which it said could ultimately launch Tehran’s next-generation Simorgh rocket.
The site includes a gantry tower which is 13 metres (43 feet) wide, approximately 18-20 metres tall “and has a cliff-side flame bucket nearly as high as the tower itself.
“It appears midway towards completion,” it said, adding that the launch pad could easily accommodate the 27-metre (89 foot) Simorgh if the gantry were to be extended by an additional 10 metres (33 feet).
And it added: “The development of the Semnan facility and the Simorgh SLV both demonstrate the likelihood of collaboration with North Korea in Iran’s missile programme.
“The platforms seen on the new gantry tower resemble those seen on the gantry tower at North Korea’s new launch pad at Tongchang. A drainage pit 170 metres directly in front of the pad also mirrors one at Pyongyang’s new west-coast launch site.
“Similarly, the first stage of the Simorgh strongly resembles the North Korean Unha-2, with four clustered engines and nearly the same dimensions.”
The respected information group concluded that Iran appears to be forging ahead with developing its missile and rocket capabilities despite US-led diplomatic pressure including threats of new UN sanctions.
“Given these investments in its missile infrastructure, and despite the United States attempting to garner support for further sanctions against Iran for its nuclear programme, Tehran appears determined to continue developing its missile and rocket capabilities in the foreseeable future,” it said.

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/displayarticle.asp?xfile=data/international/2010/March/international_March216.xml&section=international&col=

AminCo · « **Reply #13 on:** July 28, 2010, 03:47:01 PM »

is this a new launching pad close to the 1st one under construction,
note picture is from oct 9 2009

goedzo123 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 28, 2010, 04:12:34 PM »

looks good

shahab · « **Reply #15 on:** October 30, 2011, 01:44:59 PM »

Quote from: AminCo on July 28, 2010, 03:47:01 PM

is this a new launching pad close to the 1st one under construction,
note picture is from oct 9 2009

There is nothoing related to launch pad in the area marked by the red circle.

Catsoo · « **Reply #16 on:** February 09, 2012, 06:20:32 PM »

Quote

is this a new launching pad close to the 1st one under construction,
note picture is from oct 9 2009

If you had read the related article you would know that the new site is about 10 Km South of the current site. Your designated location is too close to the current site which makes it useless.

Catsoo

Immortal · « **Reply #17 on:** June 02, 2012, 02:03:58 PM »

Iran builds new space center to launch satellites
Published June 02, 2012
Associated Press

TEHRAN, Iran – Iran is finishing construction of a new space center that will allow it to soon launch more domestically made satellites into orbit, the country's defense minister said Saturday.

The remarks by Gen. Ahmad Vahidi's were the first confirmation that Iran is building a new space facility amid the standoff with the West over Iran's controversial nuclear program. The West is concerned the program masks efforts to make atomic weapons, a charge Tehran denies, insisting it's only for peaceful purposes.

Iran's ambitious space plans have also raised concerns in the West because of their possible military applications -- the same rocket technology used to send satellites into orbit can also be retooled to make intercontinental warheads.

Vahidi, in comments carried by the official IRNA news agency, said the first satellite to be launched from the new center will be the Tolo. It will be carried into orbit by the Iranian-made Simorgh light booster rocket, he said.

Vahidi didn't say where the new facility, which has been named after the Islamic Republic's founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, is located.

Iran already has a major satellite launch complex near Semnan, 125 miles east of Tehran, and another space center -- a satellite monitoring facility -- outside Mahdasht, about 40 miles west of the Iranian capital.

"Some 80 percent of the actual construction of the new space center has been completed," Vahidi said, adding that the new facility will send "satellites from Iran, the regional countries and the world of Islam into orbit in the near future."

Iran's decades-old space program is a key aspect of its efforts to achieve technological prowess similar to that of world powers. In Feb. 2010, Iran announced it had successfully launched a menagerie of animals -- including a mouse, two turtles and worms -- into space on a research rocket.

Iran launched its first commercial satellite in 2005 on a Russian rocket in a joint project with Moscow, which is said to be a partner in transferring space technology to Iran. That same year, the government said it had allocated $500 million for space projects for the next five years.

Iran's lofty space plans also include putting a man in orbit within less than a decade, despite the expense and technological challenges involved.

Iran says it wants to put its own satellites into orbit to monitor natural disasters in the earthquake-prone nation and improve its telecommunications. Iranian officials also point to America's use of satellites to monitor conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq and say they need similar capabilities for their security.

http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2012/06/02/iran-builds-new-space-center-to-launch-satellites/

Catsoo · « **Reply #18 on:** June 02, 2012, 05:07:12 PM »

Tolou to be launched from Imam Khomeini Center

Iran says it will launch the Tolo satellite from a newly constructed space center carrying the name of the late Imam Khomeini.
Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi said that the new space center constructed by the Islamic Republic of Iran bears the name of the late Imam Khomeini, adding the Tolou (Sunrise) satellite will be placed into orbit from the Imam Khomeini Space Center, IRNA reported on Saturday.

He said the space center was named after the Founding Father of the Islamic Republic to honor the late Imam and his efforts for Iran's glory, pride and independence.

The minister said that 80 percent of the space center's construction is over, adding that the center has the capacity to serve as the launching pad for satellites produced in Iran, regional countries and Muslim nations.

The Iranian scientists and experts at the Defense Ministry will launch the new generation of Iran-made satellites into space from this very center, he said.

As a first step, the minister said, the Tolou Satellite will be launched by Simorgh orbital carrier rocket from the Imam Khomeini Space Center.

http://jamejamonline.ir/en/newstext.aspx?newsnum=100813599188

Chacko-T · « **Reply #19 on:** June 03, 2012, 07:39:22 AM »

^^^ If its only 80% complete, than most probably the launch won't be in this year

Pasdar · « **Reply #20 on:** June 03, 2012, 08:51:17 AM »

Was the tolou satellite ever expected to be launched this year then?

Immortal · « **Reply #21 on:** June 03, 2012, 03:43:43 PM »

Quote from: Pasdar on June 03, 2012, 08:51:17 AM

Was the tolou satellite ever expected to be launched this year then?

No, it was unlikely the simorgh would be launched either. There still needs to be flight tests done on it and the base is not ready for such a test.

shiageorgia · « **Reply #22 on:** June 03, 2012, 04:33:09 PM »

It is in southeastern Iran or in Semnan province too?

stormbringa · « **Reply #23 on:** June 03, 2012, 07:59:39 PM »

Its better to wait and do it properly, than to rush things like n korea did and to end in embarrassment.
Iran has perfect score so far in launching Omid, Rasad and Navid. Better keep it that way.

mamdali · « **Reply #24 on:** June 03, 2012, 09:17:11 PM »

I'm not sure where this new center is, but there has been a large site under construction not too far from the current Semnon complex. To get coordinates and Google earth images, please refer to a few posts earlier on this thread or at:

http://www.iranmilitaryforum.net/space-technology-and-news/iran's-space-center/msg17038/#msg17038

It seems this is what is being referred to.

Mamdali