Iran achieved a significant space milestone on December 6 by successfully launching its heaviest payload to date, the Samān-1 transfer module, along with a CubeSat and a research payload, into an elliptical orbit.
The payload, weighing approximately 300 kilograms, was carried into an orbit ranging from 300 km to 410 km using the Simorgh carrier rocket, marking the vehicle’s eighth successful mission and setting a new record for Iran’s space program.
Developed by Iran’s defense ministry and Armed Forces Logistics, the Simorgh is a two-stage, liquid-fueled satellite launch vehicle that has played a key role in advancing the nation’s space capabilities.
This achievement follows other notable launches this year, including January’s deployment of three satellites in a single mission and September’s launch of the Chamran-1 research satellite into a 550 km orbit using the Qaem-100 rocket.
The success comes amid international scrutiny, with the U.S. and European nations alleging that Iran has been supplying ballistic missiles to Russia for use in the Ukraine conflict—claims Iran continues to deny.
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