Qased (rocket)

The Qased (also Ghased, Persian: قاصد, lit. 'messenger') rocket is an Iranian expendable small-capacity orbital space launch vehicle. It made its maiden flight in 2020, lofting a small military satellite titled Noor (Persian: نور, lit. 'light') into orbit.[3][4][5]

Qased
FunctionSmall-lift space launch vehicle
Country of originIran
Size
Stages3[1]
Capacity
Payload to LEO
(500 km)
Mass10 kg
Associated rockets
FamilySafir
Launch history
StatusActive
Total launches1
Success(es)1
Failure(s)0
First flight22 April 2020, to LEO
Last flight22 April 2020
First stage
Diameter1.25 m [2]
Fuelliquid
Second stage
Enginesunknown
Fuelsolid (plus liquid control thrusters ?)
Final stage
Enginesunknown
Fuelliquid (?)

Design

The Qased rocket is small enough to be launched from a transporter erector launcher,[2] and is thought to be a derivative of the first Iranian orbital launcher, Safir[2] with a solid fueled second stage.

Operation

The launcher is notable as it is operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace force rather than the Iranian Space Agency,[2] who operates the Safir and Simorgh.

Launch history

Flight No. Date & Time (UTC) Payload Type Outcome Remarks
1 22 April 2020, 04:00 Noor satellite Success 444 x 426 km orbit, 59.8 degree inclination[2]

See also

  • Scott Manley (26 April 2020). "Decoding Iran's New 'Qased' Rocket and the 'Noor' Satellite on YouTube". Scott Manley.
  • First launch video - "Qased launches Noor satellite on YouTube". SciNews. 22 April 2020. A Qased launch vehicle launched the Noor satellite from Iran, on 22 April 2020. According to official sources, Qased (قاصد) is a “three-stage, solid-propellant launcher” and the Noor ( نور) satellite was placed in a 425-km orbit.

References

  1. Borger, Julian (2020-04-22). "Iran reportedly launches first military satellite as Trump makes threats". The Guardian. Retrieved 2020-04-28.
  2. David Todd (2020-04-22). "Iran launches new Qased rocket type with Noor military sat aboard". SpaceTrak. Seradata. Retrieved 2020-04-28.
  3. Stephen Clark (2020-04-22). "Iran places military satellite in orbit". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 2020-04-28.
  4. Loren Grush (2020-04-22). "Iran claims it has successfully launched a military satellite". The Verge. Retrieved 2020-04-28.
  5. "Iran launches its first military satellite". Al Jazeera. 2020-04-22. Retrieved 2020-04-28.
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