Iran to launch two satellites before March 2025, space agency confirms
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Iran has set an ambitious goal of completing five to seven satellite launches by March 2025.
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This photo, released by the official website of the Iranian Defense Ministry on December 30, 2021, shows the launching of Simorgh, or 'Phoenix,' rocket in an undisclosed location in Iran. (Iranian Defense Ministry via AP)
Iran is set to launch two satellites into space before the end of its calendar year on March 20, 2025, according to Iranian Space Agency (ISA) chief Hassan Salarieh. Speaking on Thursday, Salarieh reaffirmed Iran's commitment to expanding its space program.
"We will launch two major satellites by the end of the year," Salarieh was quoted as saying by the state-run IRIB news agency.
Iran's expanding satellite program
In April 2024, Salarieh announced that Iran was in the process of completing the second prototype of the Pars-1 satellite while also preparing the Nahid-2 and Saman-1 satellites for deployment.
Iran has made significant progress on this front, successfully placing the Saman-1 satellite into orbit in December using its domestically developed Simorgh rocket.
Iran has set an ambitious goal of completing five to seven satellite launches by March 2025, with reports indicating that the upcoming missions may include the Tolu-3 and Zafar-2 satellites.
Russia-Iran space collaboration
In addition to its domestic efforts, Iran has been strengthening space cooperation with Russia.
In November 2024, a Soyuz-2.1b rocket launched from Vostochny Cosmodrome, carrying 53 small satellites, including Iran's Kowsar remote sensing satellite and the Hodhod telecommunications satellite, developed by the private Iranian company Space Omid.
Russian support has played a crucial role in advancing Iran's space program, with reports suggesting that Moscow is expected to launch additional Iranian satellites in 2025.
Iran's expanding space capabilities
Iran has been steadily expanding its space program, launching multiple satellites in recent years despite Western claims that its space activities may have military applications.
Tehran maintains that its advancements serve scientific and civilian purposes, including telecommunications, environmental monitoring, and national defense-related research.
With two more satellites scheduled for launch before March 2025, Iran continues to position itself as a regional player in space technology.
Read more: Iran plans 2026 launch for 'Shaheed Soleimani' satellite constellation
