Launch News Iran's third satellite now in orbit

[boogabooga]

Is it just me or does the whole thing seem... 'shabby'? That probably isn't the best way to describe it, but its manufacturing and surroundings don't look as... shiny and high-tech as those in say, the US.

:facepalm:
It looks like it is SCUD derived, but stretched and with an added second stage. If that's the case, keep in mind that the first US launch vehicle was essentially the same thing (i.e. Redstone), but with glorified battlefield artillery rockets composing the upper stages. Now, that's crude. All in all, I don't think it looks too bad. Now the "clear room" hygiene... (aren't you supposed to cover your hair?)

I wonder if all of their electronics are "space rated?" :hmm:

 

[T.Neo]

Hey, if crude works, I'm not complaining. It's just that it's very odd to see a vehicle in this field of technology with (for example) a fairing looking like an unfinished fibreglass boat hull.

 

[Jarvitä]

:facepalm:
It looks like it is SCUD derived, but stretched and with an added second stage.

Actually, it's derived from the Nodong-1, which is derived from the R-17 "Scud".

 

[Urwumpe]

Is it just me or does the whole thing seem... 'shabby'? That probably isn't the best way to describe it, but its manufacturing and surroundings don't look as... shiny and high-tech as those in say, the US.

It looks more shiny as the Russian workshops and less shiny as a European student satellite workshop. As long as it flies and does not kill people I am not complaining. China has much more shinier workshops and has caused some of the biggest spaceflight accidents from them.

36,000 km should be possible for Iran, if they launch a grapefruit sized satellite (like Vanguard) with their rocket (which is almost like Vanguard, except that it launches upwards) in an highly elliptical orbit.

if you assume storable propellants for inclination change and GSO insertion, it is highly doubtful that Iran could achieve this, I get negative payload masses for such flights with an additional storable upper stage.

They would need a much bigger rocket there to get anything useful. And I don't see it yet. Also they would need to get rid from the military dual use rocketry that they currently do.