Iran opened, last week, its first centre to receive satellite images, a new stage in its space programme.Defence Minister Ahmad Vahidi said the equipment used in the centre, located in the desert, was “manufactured by Iranian engineers”.
Iran does not have an operational satellite of its own but announced in december that it would launch two satellites – Fajr (Dawn) and Rasad-1 (Observation-1) by the end of the Iranian year in march 2011. He said Tehran would also unveil a new rocket, Kavoshgar-4 (Explorer-4), and engines for a two-stage Safir Fajr rocket.
Vahidi said last week Iran would unveil two rockets during the anniversary celebrations: Kavoshgar-4 and Safir (Ambassador) 1-B. But the Fars report did not specify if Safir Fajr was a new name for Safir 1-B or a different rocket.
On Sunday, state news agency IRNA reported that Vahidi said a launch date for the two satellites, Fajr and Rasad-1, was “not fixed” but they would be unveiled on Monday along with two others.
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