Salarieh confirmed that the Zafar-2 and Paya remote-sensing satellites will be launched in the coming months using a foreign launch vehicle. He also noted that Nahid-2 will be launched aboard Iran’s Simorgh rocket, while additional test launches are planned for satellites in the Shahid Soleimani constellation project.
We know that Zafar 2 is on the Soyuz-2.1b/Fregat rideshare mission on 20 October. Paya might be on the same vehicle.
Quote from: Steven Pietrobon on 10/05/2025 02:29 amWe know that Zafar 2 is on the Soyuz-2.1b/Fregat rideshare mission on 20 October. Paya might be on the same vehicle.Are you sure about the launch date?
The launch, part of a national dual-mission program, is expected before the end of the Persian calendar year.Kowsar 1.5 addresses technical limitations experienced by its predecessor, including restricted ground communication and limited observation windows, while building on lessons learned from earlier satellites Kowsar and Hodhod. These prior missions helped establish Iran’s private-sector capacity for satellite design and launch and paved the way for a new generation of multipurpose space assets.“The new satellite will operate through two distinct optical perspectives: one for Earth imaging and the other for IoT communications,” said Dr. Hossein Shahrebi, CEO of Omid Faza, designer of the satellite. “This approach allows us to maximize operational efficiency while leveraging lessons from previous missions.”
“As for the three satellites, namely Paya, Zafar and Kowsar, based on the latest situation at the launch station, they will be launched in early winter,” said Hassan Salarieh. He said all three satellites are going through final preparation stages, adding the exact launch date will be announced as soon as it is finalized.[...]The Kowsar 1.5 satellite is a state-of-the-art, upgraded version of its predecessor, representing a significant step forward in Iran’s space-based remote sensing capabilities.This modern satellite is designed for high-resolution imaging with a primary focus on precision agriculture. It will provide daily imagery of plant greenery every 24 hours, supporting agricultural monitoring, crop health assessment, and efficient resource management.The Zafar satellite marks another significant landmark in Iran’s space program. It is an advanced earth-observation satellite designed to provide high-resolution imaging for critical applications in agriculture, environmental monitoring, and disaster management. The project has been developed by the Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST) in partnership with the Iranian Space Agency.[...]The Paya satellite completes this trio of advanced spacecraft, serving as an earth-observation satellite designed for sophisticated imaging and data collection. It will complement the Kowsar and Zafar satellites in agricultural, environmental, and surveillance applications, strengthening Iran’s integrated satellite constellation.
