The Nour 2 satellite (also spelled Noor 2, Persian: ماهواره نور, lit. 'Light') callsign "NOUR 02" or "NOOR 02", is an Iranian military satellite, which was launched to orbit on 8 March 2022.[1] The Nour 2 satellite was lifted into space by the three-stage launcher Qased, or "Messenger". The satellite was placed into orbit at an altitude of 500 km.[2] Before, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force (IRGCASF) launched Nour 1 satellite to space on 22 April 2020 by the three-stage launcher Qased.[3] The Nour 1 had reached an orbit of 425 kilometers above the surface of the Earth.[4]
Satellite launch
On 8 March 2022, the Nour 2 satellite, callsign "NOUR 02" or "NOOR 02", the Iranian military satellite, was launched to orbit by IRGCASF.[1] The Nour 2 satellite was lifted into space from the Shahroud spaceport by the three-stage launcher Qased, or "Messenger" which utilizes a combination of liquid and solid fuels.[5] Before, on 22 April 2020, the IRGCASF launched Nour 1 satellite to space by the three-stage launcher Qased. The Nour 1 had reached an orbit of 425 kilometers above the surface of the Earth.[6]
The attempts to launch were criticized by the United States, Germany and France.[7]
The U.S. claimed Iran will could use the same long-range ballistic technology to Intercontinental ballistic missile, launching more long-range weapons, including nuclear warheads. Iran rejected the claim by the US and described the purpose of launching satellites and missiles as civilian and defensive.[7][1]
Launches are separated by dots ( • ), payloads by commas ( , ), multiple names for the same satellite by slashes ( / ). Crewed flights are underlined. Launch failures are marked with the † sign. Payloads deployed from other spacecraft are (enclosed in parentheses).
