The Farming Satellite Iran Can't Launch Itself
Iran calls Kowsar 1.5 a private-sector farming satellite. Its 3.45-meter camera, its sun-synchronous orbit, and the Russian rocket that carried it point somewhere else entirely.
Launch Date
November 16, 2023
Launch Site
JSC
Launch Pad
LC43/94
Launch Vehicle
Chang Zheng 2C/YZ-1S
NORAD ID
58349
International Designator
2023-176A
Epoch
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 21:19:56 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
98.55°
Right Ascension
278.49°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
289.43°
Period
100.41 min
Mean Motion
14.34 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Name
HAIYANG-3A
Alternative Name
Hai Yang 3-01
Type
Status
Owner
GYZ/CASC
Country
China
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 58349U 23176A 26200.88884307 .00000029 00000+0 26053-4 0 9994
2 58349 98.5455 278.4850 0008333 289.4262 70.6022 14.34130828140007
Source: Celestrak
Length
1
Diameter
1
Span
4
Dry Mass
1500
Launch Mass
1500
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Hai Yang 3 hao 01 xing
Purpose
Oceanography
Mission
Oceanography
Manufacturer
DFHS
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
CAST-968
Configuration
CAST2000 bus
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Deployable solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Iran calls Kowsar 1.5 a private-sector farming satellite. Its 3.45-meter camera, its sun-synchronous orbit, and the Russian rocket that carried it point somewhere else entirely.
Today's Space Brief covers significant satellite launches by SpaceX, an automated collision avoidance system development, Rocket Lab's strategic acquisition, and the rise of corporate-named satellites in orbit.
SpaceX prepares for its 10th Starship test flight, set for August 24, as the FAA grants approval following earlier setbacks.
Highlights include US military astronaut rescue drills, China's commercial involvement in lunar missions, ESA's budget proposals, global opposition to space advertising, and NASA lunar landers.
SpaceX to launch GPS III SV09 satellite for Space Force at 11:38 p.m. EST from Cape Canaveral. Musk confirms Starship V3 with Raptor V3 engines targets mid-March first flight.
SpaceX acquires Cursor AI maker Anysphere for $60B in its first post-IPO deal, as Falcon 9 lofts 3 Block 2 BlueBird satellites for AST SpaceMobile.
Key updates on strategic military shifts, technological advancements, and a critical replacement mission for Chinese astronauts highlight today's space news.
Today's briefing covers the ULA's military application for Vulcan's upper stage, FAA's efforts to expedite launch licensing, and a fascinating flyby of Mercury by BepiColombo.