Soraya (satellite)
| Mission type | Communication |
|---|---|
| Operator | Iranian Space Agency Iranian Space Research Center |
| COSPAR ID | 2024-015A |
| SATCAT no. | 58817 |
| Mission duration | 2 years, 2 months, 5 days (in progress) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Manufacturer | Iranian Space Research Center |
| Launch mass | 50 kg |
| Power | Solar |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 20 January 2024 06:28:34 UTC |
| Rocket | Qaem 100 |
| Launch site | Shahroud Space Center |
| Contractor | IRGC |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Low Earth |
| Periapsis altitude | 744 km |
| Apoapsis altitude | 760 km |
| Inclination | 64.5° |
Soraya (Persian: ثریا, IPA: [soɹæj.jɒ́ː]), also spelled Sorayya, is an Iranian remote sensing satellite of the SRI series of research satellites built by the Iranian Space Research Center and sent into a 750 km Low Earth orbit on 20 January 2024 by an Iranian Qaem 100 rocket.[1][2]
The Iranian Minister of Communications announced that Soraya was placed into orbit by Qaem 100 satellite carrier in 11 minutes.[3][4] On the next day, he reported the signals and telemetry data received on the night of 20 January showed the satellite was working properly.[5]
Reports indicate that several countries, including France, Britain, and Germany, expressed concern after Iran launched the Soraya satellite due to Iran's possible acquisition of long-range ballistic technology. The United States also considered Iran to be in violation of a UN Security Council resolution.[6][7][8]
References
- ^ "Iran successfully launches Sorayya satellite - Iranian media". Reuters. 2024-01-20.
- ^ "ماهواره ثریا با موفقیت پرتاب شد/ ثبت رکورد جدید در پرتاب ماهواره". خبرگزاری مهر | اخبار ایران و جهان | Mehr News Agency (in Persian). 2024-01-20. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
- ^ "Iran successfully places Sorayya satellite into orbit of 750km". The Iran Project. 2024-01-20. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
- ^ "Iran announces successful satellite launch, heightening Western concerns over missile program". France 24. 2024-01-20. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
- ^ "نخستین سیگنال "ثریا" به زمین مخابره شد". ایسنا (in Persian). 2024-01-21. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
- ^ Gambrell, Jon (2024-01-20). "Iran says it successfully launched satellite in Revolutionary Guards' space program". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 2025-12-28.
- ^ "Iran successfully launches Sorayya satellite, state media report". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2024-01-23. Retrieved 2025-12-28.
- ^ "France, Germany, UK Condemn Iran's Soraya Satellite Launch". www.iranintl.com. 2024-01-27. Retrieved 2025-12-28.