Iranian Satellites Fajr, Nahid, Zafar To Be Launched On Schedule

Rio de Janeiro, June 23, IRNA – Head of Iran's Aerospace Organization said here Friday launching of Sharif Science and Technology University’s satellites Fajr, Nahid and Zafar would take place on schedule, soon. Hamid Fazeli who is in the Brazilian capital city to take part at the UN sponsored Rio+20 Conference on Sustainable Development added in an interview with the IRNA presidential affairs reporter, “Today, despite the unjustly imposed sanctions for over three decades by the west against Iran, the responsible and specialist Iranian scientists have achieved the technical and scientific know-how of designing, manufacturing and launching various types of research satellites.” Pointing out that so far a noticeable number of fully Iranian designed and manufactured satellites have been successfully launched to space and are in their scheduled orbits now. He added, “Navid was the last satellite launched successfully into space and it has thus far accomplished its entire scheduled missions.” Fazeli said, “The IRI Aerospace Organization intends to dispatch more biological parcels to space in Iranian satellite carriers to survey the status of living species in the space.” The head of the country’s aerospace organization then focused on Fajr satellite, informing, “This is a spectacular technological achievement for our country which taking advantage of a cold gas propeller would begin it maneuver in its scheduled orbit at some 370 to 400 kilometers distance from the earth.” Fazeli reiterate, “Taking advantage of this cold gas propeller would increase the useful lifespan of this precise image taker satellite up to 18 months.” ** Significant importance of space in sustainable development The Head of Islamic Republic of Iran Aerospace Organization pointing out that space plays a very significant role in sustainable development of a country, reiterated, “The sciences related to this field are in fact in a way very valuable parts and parcels for the infrastructure apparatus needed for sustainable development.” Fazeli added, “Any country that would like the Islamic Republic of Iran achieve mastership in this field has in fact got access the required precious bases which are applicable in entire scientific and technological fields.” He further emphasized that these technologies and achievements leading to manufacturing space products contribute greatly to achieving sustainable development, and for instance, taking proper advantage of a measuring satellite and the territorial conditions, the existing resources of the country can be viewed and evaluated from the space, after which they would be evaluate with open eyes and then they would be properly taken advantage of. Fazeli noted, “Taking advantage of remote research and measurement satellites the researchers and scientists are enabled to asses the meteorological conditions, draught assessment, the territorial status and existing resources of the country, and the issues related to environment and environment protection matters, natural disasters management, and many other issues related to the wellbeing and security of the people. He referred to the role of the satellites in remote training, offering remote Medicare services and many other affairs related to sustainable development, adding, “Today the satellites are valuable means at the service of sustainable development at the service of any country that can achieve this technology and take proper advantage of it.” Iran is an active participant in the Asian space race and became an orbital-launch-capable nation in 2009. Iran is one of the 24 founding members of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, which was set up in 1958./end