Iran’s space program likely includes dual-use technologies. We may be talking about developing Tehran’s ballistic missile potential.
On February 29, in the Amur region of the Russian Federation, the Soyuz-2.1b launch vehicle launched Iran’s “research” satellite Pars-1 into orbit from the Vostochny cosmodrome. The launch video was published on CBC TV Azerbaijan channel on YouTube.
Russian media reports that the device can send high-resolution images from an orbit 500 km above the Earth. In the interests of the Iranian Space Agency, the Iranian small spacecraft Pars-1, “a demonstration satellite designed to test Earth remote sensing technologies”, was launched into orbit, the Roscosmos company said in a statement.
Along with the Iranian satellite, 17 Russian devices were also launched into low Earth orbit. 16 of them will be part of the Sitro-Ais automatic identification system for tracking naval vessels, and Zorkiy-2M will be part of a group of Earth remote sensing devices.
What is known about Pars-1
Official sources write that Pars-1 is a sounding satellite, the design, development, assembly and tests of which were completed by experts and young scientists of the Iranian Space Institute.
The device, weighing 134 kg, is equipped with a 15-meter camera and is part of a series of research and sounding satellites of the Iranian Institute for Scientific Research.
“It was designed and built for the purpose of developing and testing technologies necessary for functional visualization, improvement of data measurements, and domestic operational research,” Iranian sources write.
The Pars-1 mission aims to expand the domestic market for measurement data, develop and test key technologies for measurement satellites and their ground components, and increase the speed of data transfer to Earth using the X-band communications link.
Criticism of Iran’s space program
Meanwhile, Western observers point out that the international community, especially the United States, has expressed concerns about the expansion of Iran’s space program. The fact is that we are talking about dual-use technologies that can contribute to the development of Tehran’s ballistic missile potential.
“The United States is closely monitoring cooperation between Iran and Russia, especially in light of the recent launch of Sputnik, which raises questions about the security implications of the Moscow-Tehran alliance in the field of space technology,” commentators emphasize.
Let us recall that Iran launched the military satellite Nour-3 into orbit in September 2023. Tehran said the device was intended to implement plans to “expand the use of satellites in scientific research and management activities.”
Source: Focus
Ashley Fitzgerald is an accomplished journalist in the field of technology. She currently works as a writer at 24 news breaker. With a deep understanding of the latest technology developments, Ashley’s writing provides readers with insightful analysis and unique perspectives on the industry.