| Function | Small-lift space launch vehicle |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps |
| Country of origin | Iran |
| Size | |
| Stages | 3 |
| Capacity | |
| Payload to LEO 500 km | |
| Mass | 80 kg |
| Associated rockets | |
| Family | Qaem |
| Based on | Qased |
| Launch history | |
| Status | In development |
| Total launches | 1 (suborbital) |
| Success(es) | 1 (suborbital) |
| Failure(s) | 0 |
| First flight | 5 November 2022 |
| Last flight | 5 November 2022 |
| First stage | |
| Powered by | Rafe |
| Maximum thrust | 68,000 kilograms-force (670,000 N; 150,000 lbf) |
| Propellant | solid |
| Second stage | |
| Diameter | 1 m |
| Powered by | Salman |
| Burn time | 60 seconds |
| Propellant | solid |
| Third stage | |
| Diameter | 1 m |
| Powered by | Unnamed IRGC motor |
| Propellant | solid |
Qaem 100 (also Ghaem 100, Persian: قائم ۱۰۰) is an Iranian expendable small-lift launch vehicle in development by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). It was unveiled on 5 November 2022 and is the first rocket of the Qaem family. According to the IRGC Qaem 110 will be utilized to launch the Nahid satellite for telecommunication purposes.[1]
In 2020, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps successfully launched its first rocket, the Qased.[2] Experience acquired through the Qased's development allowed the IRGC to develop the Qaem 100.[3] Its first suborbital test flight has been successfully carried out on 5 November 2022.[4][1] The IRGC then announced Qaem 100 will "soon" be used to launch the Nahid satellite manufactured by the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology of Iran.[1] The Qaem-100 is planned to be followed by other Qaem rockets including the Qaem-105, Qaem-110 and Qaem-200, which will ultimately allow Iran to put satellites into the 36,000 km GEO orbit.[3]
Qaem 100 is the first three-stage solid-fueled rocket manufactured by Iran[5] that will be able to put a satellite weighing 80 kg (180 lb) into a 500 kilometres (310 miles) LEO orbit.[6][1] This is twice the payload that the Qased rocket can lift while the two rockets weight the same.[3]
The first stage is the Rafe motor that successfully passed its static ground test in January 2022.[1][7] Rafe is able to produce 68 tonnes-force (670 kN; 150,000 lbf) of thrust. It uses gimballed thrust vector control (TVC) for steering and has a wound carbon-fiber composite casing reducing weight compared to traditional casing.[7]
| Flight No. | Date & Time (UTC) | Payload | Type | Outcome | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 November 2022 | Success | Suborbital test flight[1] |
