On June 15, 2011, Iran launched satellite Rasad-1 into orbit around Earth.

Rasad-1 (the name means Observation 1 in Farsi) is an imaging satellite that was sent into a 162-mile orbit by an Iranian Safir rocket. This was Iran's third satellite and the second to be launched successfully by an indigenous rocket. Rasad-1 made about 15 orbits per day, and sent back pictures to Earth. This feat raised concerns among those who feared Iran's intentions concerning its nuclear development program.