Iran (IMNA) - According to reports, all three satellites have progressed into the subsystem performance evaluation phase, with their overall operational status described as satisfactory.
Following a technical issue that occurred during the orbital injection of the Paya satellite by the launch vehicle, priority was given to stabilizing the satellite. Necessary corrective measures were implemented with high precision, allowing testing to proceed as planned.
The Paya satellite has now completed evaluations of its power supply and distribution, thermal management, telemetry and telecommand communications, positioning, stabilization, attitude control and pointing subsystems. The assessment of its imaging communication subsystem is currently underway.
The Kowsar satellite has also successfully concluded tests related to its power supply and distribution, thermal management, telemetry and telecommand communications, positioning and stabilization subsystems, and has entered the testing phase for its attitude control and pointing systems.
Meanwhile, the Zafar-2 satellite has completed preliminary tests of its power supply and distribution, thermal management, positioning, and telemetry and telecommand communications subsystems. Additional tests on related systems are ongoing. Its rotational stability has been evaluated as satisfactory, and once the current tests are completed, further assessments will begin on attitude control and data management functions, including data transmission, storage and retransmission.
Satellite in-orbit testing is a phased and comprehensive process that extends over several weeks after launch, during which each subsystem is examined under real orbital conditions. In line with the predefined schedule, summaries of technical procedures and test results will be gradually made available to experts and space industry observers.
The three satellites—Zafar-2, Paya (Tolou-3) and Kowsar—were launched into space on December 28, 2025, aboard Russia’s Soyuz launch vehicle and were successfully placed into orbit. Hours after launch, the first operational signals were received, confirming their normal functioning.
Zafar-2 provides imagery with a resolution of 15 meters, meaning each pixel represents an area of 15 by 15 square meters on Earth’s surface. While this resolution is not sufficient for detecting fine details such as vehicles, it is regarded as a key tool for macro-level national management, including monitoring forests, water resources and agricultural conditions.
The Paya satellite, also known as Tolou-3, has been introduced as part of a new and more advanced generation of Iranian satellites. Weighing 150 kilograms, it uses advanced telescopic camera technology rather than conventional lens-based systems and offers a base resolution of 5 meters. The use of artificial intelligence algorithms can enhance its image quality to a resolution of up to 3 meters. In addition, Paya is equipped with a propulsion system that allows it to adjust its altitude and maintain its orbit for longer periods.
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