Iran (IMNA) - The satellites were launched from the Vostochny spaceport in eastern Russia aboard a Russian Soyuz rocket. The launch was confirmed by Iran's Space Agency and represents a pivotal step for the Islamic Republic in advancing its space capabilities despite enduring decades of unilateral sanctions imposed by the United States and its allies.
Kowsar is a high-resolution remote-sensing satellite designed to capture detailed imagery for applications in agriculture, natural resource management, environmental monitoring, and crisis management. In contrast, Hodhod is a compact communications satellite that aims to facilitate communication networks and support Internet of Things (IoT) applications, particularly in remote areas lacking traditional land communication infrastructure.
Hassan Salarieh, head of Iran’s Space Agency, noted that this launch is the second of its kind since last March when Iran successfully placed its Chamran satellite into orbit using its Qa’em space launch vehicle. The successful deployment of Kowsar and Hodhod further solidifies Iran's position among the top ten nations capable of developing and launching satellites.
Looking ahead, Salarieh announced plans for Iran to launch up to seven additional satellites over the next five months using its homegrown Qa’em and Simorq launch vehicles. This marks an important phase in Iran's efforts to enhance its space industry through private sector involvement, showcasing resilience and innovation amid ongoing international challenges.
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