Iran launches Sorayya satellite, sets ‘new record’

TEHRAN:

Iran announced on Saturday the successful launch of a satellite into the highest orbit yet amid escalating tensions with the West over its ballistic missile program.

In a statement published by state media, the aerospace unit of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it launched the Sorayya satellite into orbit with an indigenous Qaem 100 satellite carrier.

The satellite with a 50-kilogram payload was placed into orbit 750 kilometers (460 miles) above Earth’s surface by a three-stage Qaem 100 carrier vehicle, which is equipped to carry up to 100 kilograms, Communications and Information Technology Minister Isa said Zarepour. media.

The launch ceremony was attended, among others, by IRGC Commander Major General Hossein Salami and IRGC Aerospace Division Chief General Amir Ali Hajizadeh.

According to Iran’s state media, the launch set a “new record” in the country’s space program as it was placed into an orbit of 750 kilometers, longer than previous launches.

The Sorayya launch is part of the IRGC’s space program that has raised concerns in the West.

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Iran’s satellite launches have often been criticized by the US, linking them to the country’s ballistic missile program, which it says violates a Security Council resolution.

Tehran has rejected such claims, saying the satellite launches are intended to aid in research and agricultural activities.

In September last year, the country launched the Noor-3 imaging satellite into an orbit 450 kilometers (280 miles) above the Earth’s surface on a Qassed launch vehicle.

Qassed was also used by the IRGC to launch the previous version of the Noor-2 satellite in March 2022, placing it into orbit 500 kilometers (311 miles) from the Earth’s surface.

The latest launch comes days after Iran launched a barrage of ballistic missiles into Syria, Iraq and Pakistan, claiming it was in retaliation for recent attacks inside Iran and the killing of IRGC commanders in Syria.