Iran launches three Earth observation satellites from Russia

Iran announced the successful launch of three Earth observation satellites from Russia’s Vostochny Cosmodrome using a Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket on December 28.

The satellites—Paya, Kowsar 1.5, and Zafar-2—were developed by Iran’s private sector, and are designed for imaging, environmental monitoring, and mapping, Caliber.Az reports via IRNA.

Iranian Minister of Information and Communications Technology Sattar Hashemi stated on the evening of December 28 that the successful reception of initial signals from all three satellites confirms their “technical health and proper performance after being placed in orbit.”

Particular attention is given to Paya, considered Iran’s most advanced and heaviest observation satellite, at approximately 150 kg. It features artificial intelligence components to enhance image quality and resolution, with applications in water resource management, environmental monitoring, and territorial analysis.

The satellites will orbit at around 500 kilometres and, according to Iranian estimates, have an operational lifespan of three to five years.

By Jeyhun Aghazada