Iran opened its first space center in the remote desert of Semnan province in early 2008, inaugurating the facility with a test launch of the Kavoshgar 1 (Explorer 1) missile, which appeared to be a modified Shahab-3B. [1] Construction of the complex reportedly began in 2003. [2] Satellite images taken of the site in 2009 show extensive infrastructure development including the construction of a missile integration center, a launch site and an unspecified facility that may support solid rocket propulsion development. [3] In February 2009, Iran successfully launched an 'Omid' satellite weighing 27kg into orbit from the Semnan site using the Safir two-stage rocket. [4] In May 2009, Iran successfully tested a Sejil 2 medium-range surface-to-surface missile launched from or close to the Semnan site. [5] In March 2010, satellite images revealed the construction of a new launch pad roughly 4km away from the original site. [6] The new launch pad might be able to accommodate Iran's Simorgh space launch vehicle. A Jane's analysis of the launch pad indicates that because it resembles the Tongchang launch pad in North Korea, this suggests that the DPRK assisted in the construction of the complex. [7]

Sources:
[1] Aresu Eqbali, "Iran Opens First Space Centre, Launches Rocket," AFP, 4 February 2008; James Hackett, "Iran's Great Missile Leap," The Washington Times, 25 February 2008, www.washingtontimes.com.
[2] "Nuclear Iran, Production Capability," Jane's CBRN Assessments, 1 October 2009, www.janes.com.
[3] "Massive Construction Visible at Iran's Missile and Space Center at Semnan," Defense Update, 5 November 2009, www.defense-update.com.
[4] Geoffrey Forden, "Congratulations Iran!" Arms Control Wonk Blog, 3 February 2009, www.armscontrolwonk.com.
[5] Ali Akbar Dareini, "Iran Tests Missile with Range that Can Hit Israel," AP Online, 21 May 2009; "Iran Missile Test Appears 'Successful,' U.S. Officials," AFP, 20 May 2009.
[6] Yaakov Katz, "New Iranian Missile Launch Pad Revealed," The Jerusalem Post, 7 March 2010, www.jpost.com.
[7] "HIS: HIS Jane's Analyses Satellite Imagery of Construction of New Launch Site in Iran," M2 PressWIRE, 5 March 2010, www.m2.com.