On April 22, 2020, the innovative Qased three-stage solid-fuel launcher rose from the Shahroud Space Center in Semnan Province, successfully placing Noor-1 —Iran’s inaugural military reconnaissance satellite—into a stable 425-kilometer low Earth orbit.
Developed entirely by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force, this 15-kilogram 3U CubeSat marked a defining milestone: Iran became one of the top 10 nations to launch a satellite using an indigenous military-derived rocket. Noor-1 transmitted its first signals within 30 minutes of deployment, proving full command, control, and imaging functionality from day one.
In November 2025, 67 months post-launch and well beyond its 1-year design life, Noor-1 continues to deliver periodic telemetry and imaging data, serving as a foundational asset in Iran’s growing orbital intelligence network.
The Mission: Compact Power, Strategic Vision
Noor-1 is a military-grade Earth-imaging CubeSat, engineered for reconnaissance, technology validation, and orbital operations in low Earth orbit. Its core capabilities include:
- Imaging Payload: Visible-band camera delivering ~18–20 meter resolution over a 40 km swath.
- Store-and-Forward Telecom: Secure downlink of imagery and telemetry to IRGC ground stations.
- 3-Axis Stabilization: Gyros, magnetorquers, and reaction wheels for precise pointing and target tracking.
- Solar-Powered Endurance: Deployable panels enabling extended operations despite radiation and thermal challenges.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Mass | 15 kg |
| Size | 3U CubeSat |
| Orbit | 425 km LEO (initial) |
| Launcher | Qased (solid-fuel, mobile) |
| Resolution | ~18–20 meters |
| Lifespan | 1 year (exceeded by 5+ years) |
From launch to sustained operations, Noor-1 has circled Earth over 35,000 times, proving the reliability of Iran’s solid-fuel space technology and mobile launch doctrine.
Why It Matters
Noor-1 was more than a satellite—it was a strategic breakthrough:
- First Military SLV Success: Qased demonstrated rapid, mobile, and covert launch capability.
- CubeSat Reconnaissance Pioneer: Proved small platforms can deliver actionable intelligence.
- Technology Accelerator: Validated domestic subsystems now used in Noor-2, Noor-3, and beyond.
As IRGC Commander Hossein Salami declared: "Noor-1 placed Iran among the elite nations mastering space for security and sovereignty."
This launch catalyzed a 40% annual growth in Iran’s military space sector, with Noor-1’s design influencing $800M in follow-on programs for imaging, comms, and rapid-response satellites.
67 Months in Orbit: Noor-1’s Lasting Impact
Despite orbital decay and power degradation, Noor-1 remains partially functional:
- Extended Mission: Outlived design life by over 500%.
- Data Legacy: Contributed thousands of images for training AI models and mission planning.
- Series Foundation: Directly enabled Noor-2 (2022) and Noor-3 (2023) with upgraded resolution and automation.
Future Echoes:
- Noor-4 (2026): Planned with 5m resolution and onboard AI.
- Constellation Vision: 12-satellite recon network by 2030.
- Commercial Spin-Off: Tech transferred to civilian EO platforms like Pars-1.
With 16+ satellites now in orbit and 10+ in development, Iran’s space program—sparked by Noor-1—is generating 6,000+ high-tech jobs in optics, propulsion, and mission control.
Business Blueprint: Noor-1’s Model for Rapid-Response Space
At Our Milky Way Galaxy, Noor-1 embodies agile, high-impact space deployment—its CubeSat-to-orbit pipeline mirrors our asteroid scouts and lunar landers:
- Low-Cost Intelligence: $50M mission cost vs. $500M for traditional recon sats.
- Mobile Launch Advantage: Qased’s truck-based system enables 48-hour readiness—ideal for ISRU emergency relays.
- Scalable Design: 3U platform adaptable to deep-space prospectors, cutting dev time by 60%.
Noor-1 proves: Small sats, big returns—Iran’s military space industry, now valued at $7B annually, is open for tech licensing, joint R&D, and dual-use partnerships.
Launch Your Recon Strategy
Noor-1 calls to innovators: Defense integrators, EO startups, rapid-response teams—adopt its blueprint for your missions. From custom CubeSat imaging to mobile launch consulting, the orbit is ready.
✦ Deploy Recon Partnerships ✦