Tehran: President Masoud Pezeshkian has called for the need to develop and strategically boost the space industry through homegrown technology, emphasizing the importance of this sector in the country's macro-development.
According to Islamic Republic News Agency, in a message read at a ceremony marking the National Space Technology Day, Pezeshkian described the day as a reminder of the determination of Iranian experts in developing one of the most complex and advanced fields of science and technology. He recalled the launch of the first Iranian satellite, Omid, in February 2009 using a domestic launcher, the Safir.
He noted that these determined efforts have continued through coordination between the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics, the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, as well as the country's knowledge-based companies. Highlighting the strategic significance of this technology, the President affirmed his administration's commitment to developing space technology to manage valuable land and sea resources, in addition to upgrading communications.
During the ceremony attended by Minister of Communications and Information Technology Sattar Hashemi, Defense Minister Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh, and other officials and experts of the space industry, three achievements were unveiled. These included transmitted images from the Paya satellite, the Martyr Soleimani Satellite Constellation, and the Salmas satellite station. Addressing the gathering, Hashemi expressed optimism about achieving the goals of the space industry, citing the available capacities in the country and the activation of private sectors.
Hashemi praised the success of the space program and its practical applications, attributing the achievement of communication satellites to the efforts of Iranian scientists and a network of more than 30 knowledge-based companies. He emphasized that the current administration views the space industry as an economic asset, which can be further enhanced with the help of academics, researchers, and knowledge-based companies.
Hassan Salarieh, head of the Iranian Space Agency, also addressed the ceremony, emphasizing the achievements and competition in the space industry. Referring to the Martyr Soleimani Satellite Constellation, he stated that many subsystems have been successfully tested, and the launch is set to begin next year. He also discussed the design and construction of the Simorgh satellite launcher, stating that its ability to inject satellites of several hundred kilograms into low-altitude orbit makes it a strategic asset for the country.
Salarieh highlighted the development of the Chabahar base as another strategic issue, noting that it provides the capability to reach orbits with different inclinations.