Deputy Minister: Iran Utilizes Mini, Micro Satellites in Satellite Systems
“The development project of sensing and communication satellites is being followed by Iran’s Space Agency. CubeSat satellites are not necessarily used in satellite systems,” Salarieh told ANA in an exclusive interview.
“Heavier satellites are used in the telecommunication satellite systems compared to CubeSat satellites. Micro and mini satellites are used in the telecommunication satellite system. Actually, micro and mini satellites are also used in the Iranian satellite systems,” he added.
Salarieh had in August emphasized Iran’s determination to develop space technology.
Iran is among the 10 countries with knowledge of space technology and is the 11th country in the world in terms of space science and the leading country in the region.
Iran’s global ranking in space technology has improved from 95 in 1996 to 11 in 2017.
Iran launched its first satellite, called Omid (literally meaning hope), in 2009. Rasad (literally meaning observation) satellite was also sent into orbit in 2011.
In 2012, Iran successfully put its third domestically manufactured satellite, named Navid (literally meaning promise), into orbit.
The first and most advanced homegrown remote-sensing satellite is Pars-1, which has been designed and constructed by the researchers of the Iranian Space Research Center.
Pars-1 is supposed to take pictures of all parts of the country using a high-resolution 15-meter-camera and send its photos from a 500-kilometer distance to the earth stations using a high-powered telecommunication transceiver.
According to previous reports, the Iranian Space Agency has plans to launch a number of satellites including Pars-1, Pars-2, Zafar-2, and Nahid-2.
In February, the Iranian Space Agency announced that the Kosar satellite, designed and launched by eight technological companies, was scheduled to be in a 500-kilometer orbit by the current [Iranian calendar] year (which began on March 21).
Iran also launched Nour-1 satellite into orbit in 2020 and the second one, Nour-2, earlier this year in March with an accuracy of 10 meters.
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