Iran (IMNA) - During an open parliamentary session on Wednesday, 190 lawmakers signed a statement commending the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Iranian space scientists for successfully launching three Iranian-built satellites at the same time.
The legislators described the achievement as a historic step for homegrown space technology, highlighting Iran’s rising technological self-reliance and its expanding role in the global space arena.
In their statement addressed to ICT Minister Sattar Hashemi, the lawmakers said the “joyful and pride-inspiring news” of the triple launch of the satellites Sanjesh, Tolou-3 (also known as Paya), Zafar-2, and Kowsar 1 and 5 had generated widespread pride and optimism among members of parliament. They emphasized that the operation represents not only a significant technical success, but also a turning point in the history of Iran’s indigenous space technology.
According to the statement, the simultaneous launch of three fully Iranian satellites demonstrates the growing confidence, expertise, and capabilities of the country’s specialists and young scientists. It also reflects the national space program’s determined and forward-looking pursuit of satellite system development and the strengthening of Iran’s position within the global space community.
The lawmakers further noted that a major strength of the project lies in the ministry’s effective use of existing capacities and its engagement with the private sector. They said the successful public-private cooperation offers a promising model for advancing a knowledge-based economy and achieving long-term national objectives.
While congratulating the Iranian Space Agency, scientists, elites, and participating private companies on behalf of the Iranian people, the parliamentarians stressed that expanding the scientific and technological applications of space technology in critical economic and environmental sectors — including water resource management and the handling of natural and administrative crises — will play a vital role in Iran’s progress and prosperity.
They also affirmed their readiness to provide full legal support to ensure the continuation and acceleration of the country’s strategic space programs.
The three Iranian satellites — Zafar-2, Paya, and Kowsar-1.5 — were launched at 16:48 local time on Sunday aboard a Soyuz-2.1b rocket from Russia’s Vostochny Spaceport, in the presence of Minister Hashemi and several lawmakers. Images of the satellites were later released during a national celebration in Tehran.
Paya (Tolou-3), weighing approximately 150 kilograms, is Iran’s heaviest satellite so far and provides imagery with a resolution of about five meters in black and white and 10 meters in color. Zafar-2, developed by the Iran University of Science and Technology, is designed for monitoring natural resources, assessing environmental conditions, and supporting disaster response and mapping efforts. Kowsar-1.5, an upgraded version of the earlier Kowsar and Hodhod satellites, features Internet of Things (IoT) capabilities that allow real-time data transmission for smart monitoring systems.
Iran entered the space domain in 2009 with the launch of the Omid (Hope) satellite and has continued to expand its civilian space program despite Western sanctions.
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