TEHRAN – The head of Iran’s Space Agency said three domestically developed satellites will soon be launched into space.
“The three satellites – Paya, Zafar and Kousar – are scheduled to be launched in early winter based on the latest status of the launch base,” Hassan Salarie said. He said all three satellites are undergoing final preparation stages, adding that the exact launch date will be announced once finalized.
Iran has made significant progress in its space program despite decades of illegal Western sanctions.
The planned launch of Kousar 1.5, Zafar and Paya satellites will mark major milestones in the country’s growing independence.
These satellites were developed by Iranian engineers from various knowledge-based companies in collaboration with the Iranian Space Agency and reflect a strategic push to establish an independent satellite constellation to support agricultural, environmental, and surveillance needs.
This ambitious program highlights the country’s efforts to deepen strategic space cooperation with international partners and solidify its position as an emerging leader in space technology.
The Kawsar 1.5 satellite is a state-of-the-art upgrade of its predecessor and represents a major step forward in Iran’s space-based remote sensing capabilities.
This latest satellite is designed for high-resolution imaging, primarily focused on precision agriculture. It provides daily plant green images every 24 hours to support agricultural monitoring, crop health assessment, and efficient resource management.
The Zafar satellite will be another important landmark in Iran’s space program. It is an advanced Earth observation satellite designed to provide high-resolution imagery for critical applications in agriculture, environmental monitoring, and disaster management. The project was developed by Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST) in collaboration with the Iranian Space Agency.
This joint venture exemplifies the close cooperation between Iran’s academic institutions and government space agencies.
The Paya satellite completes this trio of advanced spacecraft and serves as an Earth observation satellite designed for advanced imaging and data collection. It will complement the Kawsar and Zafar satellites in agricultural, environmental and surveillance applications, strengthening Iran’s integrated satellite constellation.