Does Iran have an astronomy department?

While almost every big university in Iran has an astronomy department or group, the existing observational facilities consist of a number of small telescopes in various university campus observatories generally used for undergraduate and graduate training.

When did astronomy start in Iran?

In the early years, Dr. Terian was representing Iran in IAU. Serious attempts to introduce astronomy into university curricula and to develop it into a respectable and worthwhile field of research began in the mid 1960’s.

What is the Astronomical Society of Iran?

The astronomical society of Iran (ASI), though some 45 years old, has expanded and institutionalized its activities since 1990’s. ASI sets up seasonal schools for Novices, organizes annual colloquia and seminars for professionals and supports a huge body of amateur astronomers from among high schools and university students.

What was Iran's first satellite technology?

Iran’s early satellite technology was for low orbit. Tolou was designed for low-earth orbit at 500 km, and charged by solar cells and secondary batteries. Mesbah 2 is a telecommunication satellite, and Ya Mahdi is aimed to send photos to earth.

What was Iran's first folding solar panel Satellite?

The Nahid ’s imaging satellite was Iran’s first folding solar panel satellite, and had a perigee of 250 km, and an apogee of 370 km. Iran subsequently launched Payam and Friendship. Friendship was to reach 250-310 km, with an orbit angle of 55, to orbit the earth for 2-2.5 years.

Does Iran have a space program?

Iran is a founding member of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) launched in December 1958. The following sections review the timeline and technology of Iran’s space program, to show that it had a military component that evolved over time. Iran’s Space and Satellite Program’s Timeline