Kavoshgar-1 Kavoshgar-1 (, "Explorer-1") was Safir's precursor used as a
sounding rocket, a
sub-orbital flight was conducted on 4 February 2008, as announced by state-run television. A launch on 25 February 2007 may also have been of the same type. The flight carried instruments to measure the higher
atmosphere. The rocket launched on 4 February 2008 was a liquid-propellant-driven rocket, a derivative of the
Shahab-3, that reached an altitude of 200–250 km in
space, and successfully returned science data according to the
Iranian News Agency. On 19 February 2008, Iran offered new information about the rocket and announced that
Kavoshgar-1 used a two staged rocket. The first stage separated after 100 seconds and returned to earth with the help of a parachute. The second stage continued its ascent to an altitude of 200 kilometers.
Safir-1A The Safir-1A is the first upgraded variant of the original Safir, these upgrades include, refinement of the second stage
retro-rockets, stage separation systems, various sensors and
telemetry systems, navigation and control systems, as well as increasing maximum orbit height from 250 to 275 kilometers.
Safir-1B The Safir-1B is a further upgrade of the Safir-1A design, the first-stage engine has been upgraded and refined, resulting in an increase in thrust from 32 to 37 tons (363 kN; 82,500 lbf), the second stage engine has been upgraded with
thrust vector control capability and has been made more efficient. These upgrades have increased payload capability to 50 kilograms, and have increased maximum orbit height to 400 kilometers. == Retirement ==