Fajr

Fajr [Farsnews]

Fajr is an iranian small, experimental satellite. Reportedly it will have a cold gas propulsion system to circularize its orbit.

The launch took apparently place on 23th May 2012 or around that date but failed and was not reported in the media. Satellite images taken before and after that date showed, that a rocket launch took place from the launch pad. The pad was clean on 18th May, but imagery from 21th June indicates that a launch took place between those dates.

As a launch of a Fajr satellite was still announced to be planned several month after this event, it is likely, that a second back-up has been built. After a second Safir launch failure between 22.09.2012 and 25.10.2012, it is possible, that the second Fajr has also been lost.

A NOTAM was issued for 17./18 February 2013, with satellite images confirming a lift off from the Safir launch pad. As no satellite was orbited, a third failure is likely. again a Fajr satellite was reported to have been the payload.