Safīr, Iranian launch vehicle. On Feb. 2, 2009, a Safīr (Farsi for “messenger”) rocket launched Omīd, the first satellite orbited by Iran. The Safīr had two liquid-fueled stages and was based on the North Korean Taepodong-1 missile. It was 22 metres (72 feet) long and 1.4 metres (4.6 feet) across. Its estimated payload was less than 100 kg (220 pounds).