Nahid-1 (Persian: ناهید, meaning "Venus") was an Iranian solar-powered communication satellite.[2][3]
Mission type | Communication |
---|---|
Operator | Iranian Space Agency |
Spacecraft properties | |
Manufacturer | Iranian Space Agency |
Power | Solar |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | 4 March 2023[1] |
Rocket | Qaem 100 |
Launch site | Shahroud Space Center |
Contractor | IRGC |
End of mission | |
Disposal | launch vehicle failure |
Destroyed | 4 March 2023 |
Orbital parameters | |
Reference system | Geocentric |
Regime | Low Earth |
It was originally planned to launch into low Earth orbit in September 2019[4] on a Safir rocket,[5] however an explosion occurred on the launch pad during launch preparation on 29 August 2019,[6] though the satellite itself was apparently not part of the test and remained undamaged.[5] It was ultimately launched on board a Qaem 100 on 4 March 2023 as part of the rocket's maiden flight, however the launch failed and the satellite was destroyed together with the rocket.[1][7]
Nahid-1 was built with the aim of gaining knowhow and experience in the development of geosynchronous communication satellites. It was the first Iranian satellite equipped with deployable solar panels.[8]