United States Subtly Confirms Iranian Satellite’s Successful Orbit, Amid Ongoing Strained Relations

The United States has tacitly conceded that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has successfully deployed an imaging satellite into orbit. The launch bears resemblance to past endeavors that have been denounced by the U.S. as contributing to Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities.

Despite numerous requests for comment from The Big Big News since the declaration of Noor-3’s launch on Wednesday, the U.S. military has remained silent. However, the website space-track.org, which relies on data from the U.S. Space Force’s 18th Space Defense Squadron, confirmed the satellite was successfully placed in orbit on the stated date.

According to the data, the satellite is located over 450 kilometers (approximately 280 miles) above Earth’s surface. This information aligns with reports from Iranian state media about the launch. The rocket utilized for the mission was identified as a Qased, a three-stage rocket powered by both liquid and solid fuels that was initially launched by the Revolutionary Guard in 2020.

In Farsi, “Noor” translates to “light,” and “Qased” means “messenger.” The Iranian authorities released footage showing a rocket being fired from a mobile launcher, although the location was undisclosed. Analyses of the video by the AP correspond with the characteristics of a Revolutionary Guard base near Shahroud, roughly 330 kilometers (205 miles) northeast of Tehran. Space-track.org’s data also indicates that the rocket was launched from this base.

Gen. Ali Jafarabadi, the Revolutionary Guard’s space commander, appeared on Iranian state television to speak about Noor-3’s improved imaging capabilities, which he claimed are two and a half times more accurate than its predecessor, Noor-2. Furthermore, he stated that Noor-3 is equipped with thrusters that allow it to maneuver while in orbit.

Jafarabadi’s remarks extended to the broader ambitions for Iran’s satellite program, which could potentially involve the control of drones. This possibility could heighten tensions further with the West and Ukraine, especially given that Russia has deployed Iranian drones armed with bombs for over a year in the region.

Matthew Miller, a U.S. State Department spokesperson, reiterated concerns about Iran’s ballistic missile program, emphasizing its implications for both regional and global security. Miller stated that the U.S. will continue employing various nonproliferation measures, including sanctions, to counter Iran’s progress in this domain.

While Iran maintains that its space and nuclear programs are strictly for civilian use, U.S. intelligence agencies and the International Atomic Energy Agency have stated that Iran ceased its organized military nuclear initiatives in 2003. However, the involvement of the Revolutionary Guard in these launches, and the capability to launch rockets from mobile platforms, has exacerbated Western concerns.

Tensions between Iran and Western countries are already escalated, due to ongoing disagreements over Iran’s nuclear program. Efforts to renew the 2015 nuclear deal have reached a deadlock, and both Iran and the U.S. seem to be no closer to any extensive diplomatic agreements, despite a recent prisoner swap facilitated by South Korea.

This report includes contributions from Big Big News writer Amir Vahdat, located in Tehran, Iran.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Iranian Satellite Launch

More about Iranian Satellite Launch

• U.S. Space Force
• International Atomic Energy Agency
• Iran’s Revolutionary Guard
• U.N. Security Council Resolutions on Iran
• Iran’s Civilian Space Program
• U.S. State Department Statements
• Iran-U.S. Relations Overview
• 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal
• space-track.org
• Global Ballistic Missile Capabilities