Iran launches satellite, sets new record in height of its space launches

This is the first time that Iranian satellite carriers have placed objects into space at an orbit 750km above the Erath’s surface, Isa Zarepour said on January 20 as he announced the launch on Iranian social media platforms, IRNA reports.

A new record was set, he noted, adding that the space launch was the tenth by the Islamic Republic under the administration of President Ebrahim Raisi.

The satellite, named Sorayya meaning Pleiades in Persian, was placed into orbit using domestically-made carrier Qaem 100.

Qaem 100 can carry objects weighing up to 100kg, the minister said, adding that the Sorayya satellite weighed 50 kg.

The Saturday launch was the third by Qaem 100, which works on solid fuel and has been produced by the Aerospace Unit of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, he added.