Iran launches ‘Sorayya’ satellite into 750 km orbit, its highest yet

Subject: S&T

Section: Space tech

Context:

Iran had conducted a successful satellite launch into its highest orbit.

More on news:

The launch was part of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards’ space programme alongside Iran’s civilian space programme.
The U.S. intelligence community’s 2023 worldwide threat assessment said the development of satellite launch vehicles “shortens the timeline” for Iran to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile because it uses similar technology.
Iran is now producing uranium close to weapons-grade levels after the collapse of its nuclear deal with world powers.
Iran has enough enriched uranium for “several” nuclear weapons, if it chooses to produce them.
Iran has sent several short-lived satellites into orbit and in 2013 launched a monkey into space.

About Soraya satellite:

The Soraya satellite was placed in an orbit at some 750 kilometers (460 miles) above the Earth’s surface with its three-stage Qaem 100 rocket.
The satellite is built by the elite military revolutionary guards.
The Soraya satellite was shot into orbit atop the Ghaem-100 rocket of Iran’s paramilitary Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

About Intercontinental ballistic missile:

An Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) is a ballistic missile with a range greater than 5,500 kilometers (3,400 mi), and is primarily designed for nuclear weapons delivery .
Intercontinental ballistic missiles can be used to deliver nuclear weapons.
The United States, Russia, China, France, India, the United Kingdom, Israel, and North Korea are the only countries known to have operational ICBMs.

About India’s ICBM:

Agni-V (Fire) is a land based nuclear capable intercontinental ballistic missile ICBM.
It is developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India.
The missile has a range of more than 7,000 kilometers.
It is a three-stage, road-mobile, canisterised, solid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missile.