Over the past two years, Iran has achieved several significant milestones in its space industry. These successes include the development of domestic satellite systems, increased rocket launch capabilities, and the introduction of commercial use of space technologies, according to the head of the Iranian Space Agency (ISA).
Hassan Salarih presented these achievements during the celebration of Space Week at the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology. He emphasized that the country's strategic priorities remain the expansion of practical applications of space technologies and the formation of a space economy.
Salarih explained that the progress is coordinated by the actions of numerous institutions, including the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics, the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology, universities, research centers, and other structures involved in Iran's space program. According to him, the country's space development ecosystem now includes a growing number of private companies, state research centers, the Iranian Space Research Center, and universities, all contributing to the development of space products and services.
These achievements demonstrate the increasing role of domestic expertise in strengthening Iran's space potential.
Domestic Telecommunication and Rocket Capabilities
Among the key milestones, Salarih noted the Nahid-2 telecommunications satellite, which is the first satellite developed in Iran to reach orbit. He reported that the satellite was successfully placed into orbit and most of its tests were successful.
Furthermore, he pointed to the effectiveness of domestic launchers such as Qaem-100 and Simorgh, which serves as proof of advancement in developing systems necessary for placing domestically built satellites into orbit. The mission of the Chamran satellite was also mentioned, which included the development and testing of satellite attitude control algorithms and conducting Iran's first orbital proximity maneuver, according to the ISA head. Such capabilities are critically important for improving spacecraft control and ensuring more complex orbital operations.
Development of High-Resolution Satellites for Remote Sensing
Salarih also highlighted Iran's progress in creating remote sensing satellites with constantly increasing imaging capabilities. He cited the Paya satellite, launched last year, as an illustration of the country's achievements in this field, adding that more advanced generations of satellites are under development.
The Pars-2 satellite, a modernized version of Paya, is complete and awaiting launch. According to Salarih, this satellite provides image accuracy better than three meters, representing a further step in Iran's efforts to strengthen its own Earth observation capabilities. High-precision remote sensing satellites can support a wide range of civilian applications, including monitoring natural resources, agricultural assessment, environmental surveillance, and disaster management.
Private Sector Plays a More Significant Role
Salarih stated that government policy to attract private sector involvement in the space industry has moved from the planning stage to the implementation stage over the past two years. During this period, three satellites developed by private companies have been successfully placed into orbit, underscoring the growing contribution of domestic firms to the country's space program. It is expected that greater private sector participation will expand the industrial base supporting satellite production and related services, as well as create opportunities for knowledge-based companies to transform scientific and technological developments into commercial products. The ISA head also mentioned the Shahid Soleimani satellite constellation, the first of which was presented last year. He described this project as a key initiative being implemented by the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology.
Space Economy Remains a Strategic Priority
Salarih emphasized that the development of Iran's space economy is proceeding as a strategic national goal, focusing on expanding the practical use of space technologies and transforming technological progress into services that bring tangible economic and social benefits. He noted that this process will continue at an accelerating pace through cooperation between science-oriented companies, research institutes, universities, and other stakeholders. Iran's latest achievements, according to the ISA head, reflect efforts to form an increasingly integrated domestic space sector, covering satellite design and manufacturing, launch systems, remote sensing, and commercial application. The strategic priority is not only to increase the country's technical capabilities but also to ensure that space technologies play a more substantial role in economic development and daily life.
