Iran plans to launch three domestically-made remote sensing satellites into orbit, marking a breakthrough in the space sector.
Iran plans to launch three domestically-made remote sensing satellites by the end of the Iranian calendar year on March 20, 2025. The announcement was made by Hassan Salariyeh, head of the Iranian Space Agency (ISA), during the opening ceremony of World Space Week, held in Tehran last Saturday.
The Kowsar, Tolo-3 (Sunrise-3) and Zafar-2 (Victory-2) satellites will form an orbital constellation and work together to observe the Terra.
The project represents a major step forward in Iran's quest to establish itself as a space power. In addition to the planned launches, Salariyeh noted that the country launched the Chamran-1 research satellite into orbit earlier this year.
- Goodbye, iPhone, Samsung and all cell phones? Mark Zuckerberg, owner of Instagram, WhatsApp and Facebook, helps create technology that can REPLACE smartphones
- Researchers discover bacteria capable of “eating” plastic, offering a revolutionary alternative to combat environmental pollution
- NASA's revolutionary telescope will launch in 2027 to discover new habitable worlds beyond Earth, with 100 times more power than the legendary Hubble!
- China launches tunnel boring machine with 5.000 tons of capacity and the largest diameter in the world! Innovation impresses engineering sector
Objectives and advances in the space program with the new satellites
Among ISA's future plans is the launch of the Saman orbital transfer pad, another important milestone for the Iranian space program.
Additionally, the agency is working in partnership with the private sector to develop a satellite system focused on the Internet of Things (IoT).
This system will be able to receive and transmit data effectively, especially in disaster situations when terrestrial infrastructure may be compromised.
The technology promises to revolutionize how data is managed at critical moments, helping to make quick and accurate decisions.
Salariyeh recalled that Iran officially entered the global space race in 2009 with the launch of its first domestically produced satellite, Omid (Hope).
Since then, the country has launched remote sensing satellites with resolutions ranging from tens to hundreds of meters.
Those missions, conducted mainly by local universities, helped to consolidate Iran's position as one of the leading countries with the ability to independently develop and launch satellites.
Iran and the impact of sanctions
Today, the country is among the ten nations in the world capable of developing and launching satellites. A recent example of this advancement was the successful launch of the Chamran-1 research satellite on September 14.
Placed in orbit at an altitude of 550 kilometers, the satellite was carried by a Qaem-100 Space Launch Vehicle (SLV), both developed in-house. Within hours of launch, Chamran-1 had already sent its first signals back to Earth, highlighting the success of the mission.
The satellite, which weighs approximately 60 kilograms, was developed by Iranian technicians from Iran Electronics Industries (SAIran), in collaboration with experts from the Aerospace Research Institute (ARI) and private companies in the technology sector.
Chamran-1's primary mission is to test essential hardware and software systems to validate orbital maneuvering technology, a critical step toward developing future, more complex space missions.
Promising future for Iran's space sector
Iran's trajectory in the space sector is remarkable, and the launches planned for the coming months further reinforce the country's commitment to excel in this area.
With the continued development of communication and remote sensing satellites equipped with increasingly advanced technologies, Iran is moving towards a prominent position on the global space scene.
The future of Iran's space program promises even greater advances, driven by technological innovations and collaboration between the public and private sectors, consolidating the country as an emerging power in space exploration.