In a historic development in Tehran’s growing space program, Iran has successfully launched three domestically developed observation satellites into orbit using a Russian Soyuz rocket.
The satellites (Paya, Zafar-2 and Kowsar 1.5) were launched from the Russian Vostochny cosmodrome and are now orbiting the Earth at an altitude of about 500 kilometers, according to the Iranian state media, IRNA.
Similarly, Iranian officials were quoted as saying that the mission was carried out for civilian and investigative purposes.
Sources familiar with the matter added that the satellites were designed by Iran’s private sector and academic institutions, with the aim of observing the Earth, monitoring the environment and managing resources.
What are the Iranian satellites Paya, Zafar-2 and Kowsar 1.5?
Weighing about 150 kilograms, Paya is the most advanced and heaviest imaging satellite built by Iran to date. It is packed with artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities to improve image resolution and will be used to monitor water resources, map and analyze the environment.
On the other hand, Zafar-2 was developed by university researchers, while Kowsar 1.5 is an improved high-resolution satellite produced by a private Iranian company.
The Soyuz rocket was chosen for its reliability in carrying sensitive payloads, the Fars news agency reported, adding that Iran has carried out ten satellite launches in the past two years, including an earlier mission from the same Russian launch facility in July.
Officials further explained that the satellites will be used for civil applications such as agricultural planning, disaster response during floods and earthquakes, and monitoring environmental changes.
