In February 2009, Iran launched its first domestically produced satellite, Omid (Hope), entering the global space race.
This was followed by the deployment of multiple remote sensing satellites with resolutions ranging from tens of meters to hundreds of meters developed by local universities.
Almost two decades later, Iran now produces a variety of advanced communication and remote sensing satellites with improved technology and precision.
Recently, two Iranian satellites, Kowsar and Khodokhod, were launched by the country’s private sector from the Vostochny spaceport in eastern Russia using Russian Soyuz rockets.
This marks an important milestone for Iran’s private sector in satellite manufacturing and deployment.
Kowsar is a remote sensing satellite capable of capturing high-resolution images for agriculture, natural resource management, environmental monitoring, and emergency management.
Hassan Salariyeh, head of the Iranian Space Agency, announced that this launch was the second since Iran successfully launched the Chamran satellite on the Qa’em Space Launch Vehicle (SLV) in March last year.
Hohod, a small satellite, has communications capabilities that help build networks, especially in remote areas without land-based communications, and support the Internet of Things (IoT).
On September 14, Iran also launched an indigenous research satellite, Chamran 1, into orbit at an altitude of 550 kilometers (341 miles) using a Qaem-100 SLV.
Early in the morning of January 28, 2024, the Islamic Republic successfully launched three domestically produced satellites, including Mahda, Qihan 2, and Hatef 1, into space orbits at a minimum altitude of 450 km and a maximum altitude of 1,100 km above the earth’s surface. approached. Years later Geostationary Orbit (GEO), also known as geostationary orbit.
On May 6, 2020, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, leader of the Islamic Revolution, pointed out the achievements of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in launching the Noor satellite into space, saying, “Unfortunately, some people in the country constantly says it’s impossible.” And that it can’t be done. But we are perfectly capable. The reason is that if we can launch a satellite into space at a speed of 7,500 meters per second, if we can put a satellite into orbit, and if we can make great advances in the field of defense industry, we have the same capabilities. It’s from. Achieved a rapid increase in production. ”
The wisdom and thinking that could build such a satellite and set the goal of launching another in an orbit of 36,000 kilometers is matched by the spirit, innovation and creativity that would build a car with a fuel consumption of 5 liters per 100 kilometers. He added that Develop other production areas.
Report by Tohid Mahmoodpour
