Iran launches spy satellite
Iranian officials today confirmed the successful launch of its Qased rocket, placing a classifed Noor spy satellite into orbit.
The Space Force confirmed this announcement, tracking two objects (one likely the satellite and the other the upper stage) in a 442 by 456 kilometer orbit with a 60.0 degree inclination. That steep inclination will allow the satellite to cross over two thirds of the Earth’s surface.
This was Iran’s first launch in 2023, and third launch of this type spy satellite and rocket since 2020. The leaders in the 2023 launch race remain the same:
68 SpaceX
44 China
13 Russia
7 Rocket Lab
7 India
Iranian officials today confirmed the successful launch of its Qased rocket, placing a classifed Noor spy satellite into orbit.
The Space Force confirmed this announcement, tracking two objects (one likely the satellite and the other the upper stage) in a 442 by 456 kilometer orbit with a 60.0 degree inclination. That steep inclination will allow the satellite to cross over two thirds of the Earth’s surface.
This was Iran’s first launch in 2023, and third launch of this type spy satellite and rocket since 2020. The leaders in the 2023 launch race remain the same:
68 SpaceX
44 China
13 Russia
7 Rocket Lab
7 India