Semnan Space Center
Semnan Space Center is the primary Iranian spaceport, located southeast of the city of Semnan in the north of the country.
History
Media attention on the space center began when Iranian authorities announced their intent to launch an artificial satellite within weeks on 16 August 2008. On 17 August 2008, Iran proceeded, as preannounced, with the second test launch of a three stage Safir SLV from a site south of Semnan in the northern part of the Dasht-e-Kavir desert. Reza Taghizadeh, head of the Iranian Aerospace Organization, told state television "The Safir satellite carrier was launched today and for the first time we successfully launched a dummy satellite into orbit". As reported in late 2009 and early 2010, a new, larger launch pad was under construction at.
Launch sites
The Circular Launch Platform is the oldest launch pad and also recognizable by the light blue background with the original logo of the Iran Space Agency.The platform has a simplified character and consists of a leveled terrain with a circular asphalted section of a diameter of 65 m, at the center of which is a service tower.
Main Launch Platform
The Main Launch Platform is located at the east of the complex on a specially enclosed octagonal area measuring 900 x 660 m and covering an area of 51.4 ha, representing the largest single element of the new space center. The units are accessed by a road from the northwest, which is within the perimeter of the three rays and forms two main inner zones – almost completely built lower and newly initiated upper. The lower zone consists of spacious launching platforms with towers and four larger compartments for installation and storage.