Saman-1 (rocket stage)
Iranian space tug
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Saman-1 (Persian: سامان-۱) is a space tug in development by the Iranian Space Research Center to be used to transfer satellites from a 400 km orbit to higher orbits.[1] The system was unveiled on February 1, 2017, by Iranian president Hassan Rouhani in a ceremony marking the Iranian national space technology day.[2][3]
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Saman-1 upper-stage | |
| Manufacturer | Iranian Space Research Center |
|---|---|
| Country of origin |  Iran |
| Used on | Simorgh (in future) Qased (possibly) |
| General characteristics | |
| Gross mass | 240 kg (530 lb) |
| Propellant mass | 185 kg (408 lb) |
| Empty mass | 55 kg (121 lb) |
| Arash-24 | |
| Maximum thrust | 13 kN (2,900 lbf) |
| Burn time | 40 seconds |
| Associated stages | |
| Comparable | Star 24 |
| Launch history | |
| Status | In development |
It could be used as a third stage/kick-motor on the Simorgh launch vehicle.[4] Although very little information has been publicly revealed about the Qased launch vehicle's solid fueled third stage, analysts have concluded that it may uses the Saman-1 as its third stage or something similar.[5][6]
Design
The saman-1 utilizes an Arash-24 solid fuel motor as its main propulsion unit, producing 1.3 tons of thrust with a burn time of 40 seconds and a total mass of 240 kg fully fueled and 55 kg when empty.[7][8]
Saman-1 is capable of transferring satellites from a 400 km orbit to a 7,000 km orbit.[9][10] For its first mission it will be tasked with lifting a 100 kilogram satellite from a 400 kilometer circular parking orbit to an elliptical orbit with an apogee of 700 kilometers and a perigee of 400 kilometers.[10][11][12] After the first and second stage burn are done the launch vehicle releases the payload and the Saman-1 third stage into a parking orbit, then the Saman-1 becomes responsible for stabilization and elimination of vibrations after release and finally the accurate injection of its payload into its target orbit.[13][14]
Several new sub-systems were designed and manufactured for the Saman-1, these include: a complete and independent navigation and control system, a solid-fueled propulsion system (made out of titanium to reduce weight), cold gas thrusters, a power system, and a flight computer.[13][14][15]
Future versions
Saman-2 will be able to transfer satellites from a 400 km orbit (LEO) to a 10,000 km orbit; Saman-3 up to 21,000 km; Saman-4 up to 36,000 km (geostationary and geosynchronous orbits).[9][16]
History
Saman-1 development began in 2015. The first prototype was unveiled on February 1, 2017, by President Hassan Rouhani. The second prototype was being tested in December 2018.[17][2][3] In December 2019, the first sample of the Arash motor was tested successfully in vacuum conditions.[18] A suborbital test flight of Saman-1 occurred in June 2021 and was reported to be successful.[19] A second successful suborbital test took place on 3 October 2022.[20] Operational test flight of the system is planned for 2022–2023.[16]
In 6 December 2024, Simorgh SLV launched Saman-1 orbital transfer block to an altitude of 400 kilometers, along with two other payloads (including the Fakhr-1 satellite), with a total weight of 300 kilograms.[21]
Gallery
Saman-1 on display at an exhibition
