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).

The IRGC Aerospace launched Noor-2, another indigenously made satellite, using the domestically-built three-stage rocket propelled by a mix of solid and liquid fuels launcher Qassed (messenger) on March 8, 2022, and it is orbiting Earth at an altitude of 500 km.

Noor-2 was launched for reconnaissance, and it went into orbit 480 seconds after launch at a speed of 6.7 km/s.

This is not only a major step toward boosting the country's military capabilities, but it is a manifestation of Iran's efforts in combatting the unilateral sanctions imposed by the US after it withdrew from the nuclear deal aimed at reducing Tehran's nuclear activity and offering the Islamic Republic sanction relief.