Tehran: Iran is slated to launch three domestically developed sensing satellites into space on Sunday from a Russian launch site, a senior official at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology said. Vahid Yazdanian, head of the Iranian Space Research Institute and a deputy communications minister, stated that the satellites, named Paya, Zafar 2, and the second prototype of Kowsar, have been constructed by the private sector.
According to Islamic Republic News Agency, these satellites are set to be launched into low Earth orbit using a Russian launch vehicle. Yazdanian elaborated that the sensing satellites are capable of transmitting imaging data with spatial resolutions ranging from 15 meters to less than five meters. This data is applicable for various uses across the country, including agriculture, water resources management, and environmental protection.
Yazdanian emphasized that these satellites will augment the existing fleet of domestically produced satellites that Iran has already placed into orbit. Unlike previous models, these new satellites will operate at an altitude of about 500 kilometers above Earth, within the low Earth orbit (LEO) range. Each satellite is composed of numerous subsystems, all of which have been designed, developed, and manufactured within Iran.
He also highlighted the improvements in imaging capabilities, noting that Iran has made notable advancements in the spatial resolution of its satellites. Yazdanian remarked that previous satellite models had a resolution of 20 meters, but there has since been a focus on enhancing resolution to provide better services through satellites and a more service-oriented approach to launches. Efforts are ongoing to achieve higher levels of detail, enabling the use of satellite imagery in agricultural and industrial applications.
Yazdanian further mentioned that the satellites have a nominal operational lifespan of between two and five years, which aligns with global standards. He expressed hope that after this launch, there would be an increase in their nominal lifespan, allowing them to remain operational for a longer period.