Iran has made a major step in the space race by launching its first two private satellites into orbit using a Russian Soyuz launcher.
Iran has joined the race for space along with the US, China and Russia, by launching the first of its private satellites in space. Newsweek reports, citing Tehran Times, that this step marks Iran’s entry into space research.
Since 2022, Russia and Iran have deepened their military collaboration. Iran has supplied thousands of drones for use in Ukraine to Russia. In exchange, Russia has provided Iran advanced military technology including fighter jets, missile systems, and other advanced technologies. Both countries have signed agreements in order to circumvent international sanctions. They are likely to expand the partnership, possibly including Iranian ballistic rocket supplies to Russia. This growing alliance has significant implications for global geopolitics and regional security.
The Russian Soyuz rocket launched the privately developed satellites Kowsar, and Hodhod into orbit. It also carried two Russian satellites “Ionosphere M” among others.
The report states that the launch of satellites on a Russian missile highlights the strengthening relationship between two countries.
Faghih Imani is the CEO of the company that built the satellites. He said, “This is just the beginning. We will only go forward from here.” The development process took fifteen years.
The Kowsar Satellite is designed for agriculture, natural resource management and environmental monitoring.
The smaller Hodhod Satellite is used to support agriculture, transportation, logistics, and environmental monitoring.
“This is the first time that Iran has launched satellites in space through the private sector, even though it is not the first. In 2022, a Russian rocket launched an Iranian satellite called Khayyam. In February, Pars-1, a second Iranian satellite was sent into space by a Russian rocket. The country launched a research space satellite, Madha earlier this year and used its vehicle launcher, Simorgh,” according to the report.
Ivan Stupak, a former Security Service officer and Ukrainian military expert, said earlier that Ukraine was testing drones produced domestically capable of automatically identifying “Shahed”, drones.
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