Synopsis
Iran recently presented three new indigenous satellites, Navak-1, Pars-2, and an upgraded Pars-1, in Tehran. This event was part of National Space Technology Day and involved key political and military figures.Key Takeaways
- Three new satellites were unveiled in Tehran.
- Navak-1 is set to test an upgraded launch vehicle.
- Pars-2 weighs 150 kg and supports environmental monitoring.
- Upgraded Pars-1 features advanced imaging technologies.
- Upcoming launches planned before March 20.
Tehran, Feb 2 (NationPress) On Sunday, Iran showcased three new satellites developed entirely within its borders during a ceremony in the capital to celebrate National Space Technology Day, as reported by various media outlets.
The satellites, referred to as Navak-1, Pars-2, and an enhanced version of Pars-1, were revealed in the presence of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Seyyed Sattar Hashemi, the Minister of Information and Communications Technology, along with several government officials and military leaders.
The Navak-1 communications satellite, created by the Iranian Space Research Centre, is set to test the capabilities of the upgraded Simorgh launch vehicle soon.
This launch vehicle aims to place the satellite into an elliptical orbit, according to the official news agency IRNA.
Weighing approximately 34 kg, Navak-1 is designed with a dosimetry payload to track cosmic rays, and it features a magnetometer sensor for measuring the Earth’s electromagnetic field.
As stated by IRNA, the Pars-2 remote-sensing satellite has a mass of 150 kg and includes two imaging payloads equipped with distinct indigenous linear position sensors.
This satellite is equipped with a propeller and is capable of executing various missions related to environmental monitoring, forestry, disaster response, and urban management.
The upgraded Pars-1 remote-sensing satellite, which weighs under 150 kg, boasts three imaging payloads: multispectral, short-wave infrared, and thermal infrared, as per IRNA.
Powered by energy generated from gallium arsenide solar cells, this satellite is an advancement over its predecessor, which was launched on February 29, 2024, using a Russian Soyuz rocket from the Vostochny spaceport.
During another event in Tehran on the same day, Iranian Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh announced plans for two upcoming space launches before the current Iranian calendar year concludes on March 20.
On September 27, 2024, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force successfully deployed the homegrown imaging satellite Nour-3 into orbit.
Nour-3 (Light-3) was launched via the satellite carrier Qased (Messenger) and placed in an orbit approximately 450 km (about 280 miles) above the Earth.
Earlier this year, Iran also successfully sent the indigenous Mahda research satellite along with two research payloads into space using the Simorgh satellite launch vehicle.
Weighing 32 kg, Mahda is primarily tasked with testing satellite-related subsystems and verifying the performance of the Simorgh SLV in deploying space cargo, while also assessing the reliability of homegrown technologies in space.
