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TEHRAN \u2013 Two privately developed Iranian satellites are scheduled for launch on Tuesday, marking another step forward for Iran’s burgeoning space program.\u00a0<\/p>\n
On Monday, Iran’s Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali announced in a post on X that a Russian Soyuz launcher is set to launch two domestically-produced Iranian satellites, Kowsar and Hodhod, into space during the early hours of Tuesday.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Jalali additionally emphasized that the two satellites were conceived and produced by a team of young Iranian scientists at the Omid Faza knowledge-based company, with assistance from Iran\u2019s Vice Presidency for Science, Technology, and Knowledge-Based Economy, the Iranian Space Agency (ISA), and the Iranian embassy in Moscow.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Ambassador also conveyed optimism that the satellite launch would mark a significant and resolute advancement in facilitating the involvement of Iran’s private sector in the space industry.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Iran successfully attained the ability for orbital launches in 2009 and has made remarkable strides in its civilian space program, demonstrating resilience and innovation in the face of Western sanctions.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Iran stands as the ninth nation to successfully launch a domestically manufactured satellite into orbit using its own launch vehicle. It is now recognized among the world’s top ten countries capable of developing and launching satellites.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The launch of Kowsar and Hodhod marks a significant milestone, showcasing the first-ever participation of the Iranian private space sector in the nation’s expanding space program and enhancing the achievements of government space initiatives.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kowsar is a high-resolution imaging satellite, with its design process commencing in 2019. Weighing 30 kilograms, this domestically developed Iranian satellite boasts an estimated orbital lifespan of over three years. It features a color imaging range of 15 kilometers and can capture images at a rate of 6 frames per second. Kowsar is designed to support agricultural, land survey, and cadaster services.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hodhod is a lightweight communications satellite, weighing 4 kilograms and positioned at an orbital height of 500 kilometers. With an orbital lifespan of four years, it serves a range of applications, including agriculture, land survey, transport, and environmental protection. A notable advantage of the Hodhod satellite is its ability to provide Internet of Things (IoT) services, offering international coverage even in remote areas such as forests and mountains.\u00a0<\/p>\n
On September 14, Iran marked a momentous achievement in its space program with the successful launch of the domestically developed Chamran 1 research satellite into orbit. This satellite was deployed at an altitude of 550 kilometers (341 miles) above the Earth’s surface using the homegrown Qaem-100 space launch vehicle (SLV).<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n