Tehran – Iran’s Minister of Information and Communications Technology Sattar Hashemi announced plans to launch a Navak micro-class satellite developed in the country in the coming days, marking a milestone in pursuit of advanced aerospace capabilities. did.
The 40-kilogram satellite, designed by the Iranian Space Research Institute, is propelled into orbit using an upgraded Simorgh Rocket.
The launch marks progress towards access to Earth Orbit (GEO) and strengthening national communications infrastructure.
Having faced international sanctions and technical hurdles over the past decade, Iran’s space programme prioritizes independence in satellite technology.
The country has recently achieved notable advances in satellite technology. In January 2024, Soraya’s satellite was launched into a record 750 km orbit.
By September, the Chamran-1 satellite had reached a 550 km orbit using a domestically developed QAEM-100 carrier. Additionally, the announcement of the PARS-1 and PARS-2 satellites promises to enhance Earth’s remote sensing capabilities.
5G, the Digital Economy, and E-Government Reform
Speaking at a high-level meeting attended by Mohammad Reza Aref’s first vice president, Hashemi outlined parallel priorities, including accelerating the deployment of 5G networks through auctions in the 3600 MHz frequency band.
“Regulatory transparency and improving network quality are common demands that we take seriously,” he says, resolving bureaucratic bottlenecks “makes stakeholders independently.” It emphasized that this will be quickly tracked into 5G development.
The Minister also emphasized growing Iran’s digital economy to 10% of GDP under the Seventh Development Plan and advocated for public-private partnerships.
“Our approach to e-government is transformative,” Hashemi said, referring to an initiative that will be implemented soon to redesign the bureaucracy.
Despite continued US-led sanctions, Hashemi highlighted “defensible achievements” in technology diplomacy, including partnerships with Latin America and the Gulf states.
The first Vice President, AREF, closed the meeting by encouraging faster implementation of strategic projects, endorsing the ministry’s “pioneering” role in Iran’s technology-driven economic agenda.