Advanced Iranian satellite awaiting launch; more satellites to hit launch queue: Official

The head of the Iranian Space Research Center announces that the country is to launch an advanced communication satellite, while a state-of-the-art remote sensing satellite is to hit the launch queue and several research satellites are undergoing the manufacturing process.

Vahid Yazdanian identified the communication satellite as Nahid- (Venus-) 2, adding that the country’s Pars-2 remote sensing satellite was also queued up for launch.

The official added that several other high-tech satellite projects were also in progress, the Islamic Republic of Iran News Network reported on Friday.

According to experts, completion of the manufacturing process of Nahid-2 marks a significant development in Iran’s space program, specifically as far as communication satellite technology is concerned.

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The orbiter that weighs 120 kilograms is slated to be launched into a 500-kilometer orbit with a 56-degree inclination using the Simorgh launch vehicle.

The satellite is designed to offer a broad range of communication services and research applications, such as data storage, transmission, and secure communication between satellite systems and mission control centers.

Nahid-2 will also test the country’s ability to operate with chemical propulsion and hot gas propulsion for attitude control -- the process of controlling the orientation of a satellite -- marking the first use of these technologies in the Islamic Republic's satellite fleet.

Furthermore, it will perform independent radio positioning without reliance on GPS, using Two-Line Element (TLE) data -- a standard format used to represent the orbital parameters of satellites and other objects in space

Pars-2 remote sensing satellite: Advancing imaging capabilities

Still according to Yazdanian, "Very soon, the Pars-2 satellite will also be joining the queue."

The satellite is set to enhance Iran's remote sensing capabilities. It is an advanced version of the Pars-1 satellite, designed to offer superior imaging performance.

The orbiter will be able to capture color images with an accuracy of less than 4 meters and black-and-white images with an accuracy of less than 8 meters.

The official’s remarks came as the country is developing the Pars-3 satellite, which is expected to offer a significant leap in imaging accuracy, with black-and-white imaging precision that is better than two meters.

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Research satellite advancements

Yazdanian, meanwhile, noted that the research center had defined a set of research satellites that were aimed at testing various satellite subsystems.

He hailed that “over 97% of these subsystems are being produced domestically."

"Pazhouhesh (Research) Satellites 1, 2, 3, and 4 are undergoing the manufacturing process with the participation of the private sector and our universities."

He pointed out that the Pazhouhesh Satellite 5 was in the concept phase and would soon be handed over for subsequent development.

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