Iran can quickly restore satellite subsystems: official

The official responsible for space services development at the Iranian Space Research Center said Iran has the capacity to restore and rehabilitate satellite subsystems within a short period.

He explained that Iran’s space sector has reached an advanced level of technological maturity, enabling the rapid reactivation and recovery of satellite subsystems even if some infrastructure or laboratories sustain damage.

The official said the Iranian Space Research Center is a fully civilian research institution operating for peaceful purposes. He noted that Iran’s space industry has, in recent years, moved beyond the stage of acquiring technical and engineering expertise in satellite subsystems and entered a new phase focused on developing space services and applications.

He added that engineering expertise and knowledge have become deeply rooted among specialized national personnel, enabling the sector to resume its activities within a short period even with only minimal laboratory equipment available.

Although some laboratories were damaged during the aggression, emergency and business-continuity plans had been prepared in advance, he said. Alternative sites and backup capabilities had been established within other institutions and centers to ensure the continuation of operations and prevent projects from being halted.

The official stressed that the loss of some facilities or equipment does not amount to a loss of technological capabilities. He said the main satellite subsystems can be rehabilitated and returned to production lines in the shortest possible time, thanks to the country’s accumulated expertise and existing knowledge base.

Meanwhile, Iranian Space Agency chief Hassan Salarieh said remote-sensing and communications satellites have become some of the most important tools for governance, management and the development of services.

He said Iran’s space industry has continued its activities despite wartime conditions, relying on domestic capabilities and with the active participation of various government and private-sector entities.

Salarieh also highlighted the growing distribution of capabilities and resources across different sectors as one of the main strengths of Iran’s space industry. Numerous private companies are active in the sector, while the production and development of various satellite subsystems and technical components are being carried out across different parts of the country.

Referring to global efforts to advance space technology, Salarieh said leading countries such as the United States and China have made major investments in orbital transfer vehicles, adding that Iran is moving in the same direction.

A year ago, Iranian Space Research Center chief Vahid Yazdanian said Iran ranked between sixth and eighth globally in space activities and belonged to the second group of countries active in the field.