Iran has successfully tested the launch of the locally produced civilian satellite carrier Zoljanah, which is powered by a compound-fuel engine, according to state media, citing the defense ministry's space department.

Citing department spokesperson Ahmad Hosseini, the second launch, like the first, was for scientific purposes, according to IRNA.
 
The launch vehicle has three stages, two of which use solid fuel and one of which uses liquid fuel. It was designed to launch satellites into orbit and was tested for the first time in February 2021.

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Iran began its space program in the early 2000s, building its own satellite launcher on the Shahab-4 surface-to-air missile. The Semnan launch pad in the country's north was built in 2009.
 
Due to high costs, Iran's space program was suspended between 2015 and 2017. Two civilian test launches failed in 2019, but the Iranian military successfully launched two satellites into orbit in 2020 and March 2022.

Earlier today, the Iranian Air Defense Force revealed new missiles with a range of 300 km soon, Deputy Commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Defense Force Brigadier General Alireza Elhami said.

Increasing the missile capability of the army and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) is one of the requirements of deterrence, he explained.

"The only way to counter all sanctions and threats is to become stronger in all matters, especially in the military field," Elhami said in a meeting with some forces within the Iranian Armed Forces, the IRGC, and the Islamic Republic of Iran Police Force.

"Increasing the missile capability of the army and the IRGC is one of the requirements of deterrence and protection of national interests, which must be further enhanced," he added.

Iran to launch 7 homemade satellites in March 2023

Iran is continuing its production of indigenous satellites that the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) said, citing the head of the Iranian Space Agency, Hassan Salarieh, Tehran could launch in March next year when designers are expected to finalize the projects.

The spacecraft planned to launch in 2023 include the Iranian Nahid, Pars-1, and Zafar satellites, which Tehran already has in its arsenal. The remaining four are still under construction, IRNA added, quoting Salarieh.

The satellite series of Nahid, Pars-1, and Zafar is up there as the most modern Iranian spacecraft. They were designed for telecommunication purposes and measuring radiation in space, the outlet stressed.

Some satellites, including the Nahid-1 and Zafar-2, have been awaiting launch for several years.

The satellites will be orbiting the Earth at an estimated altitude of 500-530 km (310-341 miles).