Official: Iran's Heavy Bio-Space Capsule Ready for Tests
“Iran's new bio-space capsule is being designed and built. Since two years ago, after the launch of the first sample, which weighed 500 kilograms, a heavier sample with higher capabilities is now being prepared,” Salariyeh said.
In addition to the guidance and control systems, the capsule is considered as an orbital laboratory for us, and its construction process has been underway for a while,” he explained.
“Part of the subsystems of this project are at present under construction, and testing of its subsystems will start this year. The full program for building and launching the advanced bio-capsule will be implemented in the coming years,” Salariyeh underlined.
Iran in late 2023 had managed to put its newest bio-space capsule into orbit using an indigenous launcher as it prepares for human missions in the coming years.
The 500-kilogram (1,000-pound) capsule was launched 130 kilometers (80 miles) from Earth's surface.
The capsule was developed by Iran’s Aerospace Research Institute, affiliated with the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology.
The launch was a step to send humans into space in line with the government’s plan to revive various sectors of the space industry and consolidate bio-space knowledge.
It was a test for space technologies in the areas of launch, recovery, and speed control systems, as well as impact shields, capsule aerodynamic design, and the systems related to control and monitoring of biological conditions.
The capsule launcher, named Salman, was the first version of the launcher capable of launching biological capsules weighing half a ton.
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