Reyhane Hejazi - Iran has been building satellites for years, but this is the first time three Earth-observation missions—with different yet complementary roles—are being launched simultaneously. The timing is no coincidence; it signals Iran’s transition to what many call a “constellation mindset”: a move from single-purpose satellites toward a multilayered network designed for national governance, economic management, and security.
Kosar
Kosar—developed by the OmidSpace knowledge-based company—is more than just a 30-kilogram satellite. It was built in under a year, following its earlier prototype.
Its relevance lies not only in its four-meter resolution but also in its hybrid mission: combining Earth observation with satellite-based Internet of Things (IoT). This technology can connect thousands of ground sensors—from farms and irrigation pumps to environmental monitoring stations—to orbital data streams.
A key point, noted by OmidSpace’s former CEO, is Kosar’s compatibility with international ground stations—a strategic shift that moves Iran away from “space isolation” toward integration with the global data network.
If the trend continues, Kosar could form the backbone of Iran’s first indigenous space-based IoT network—one capable of transforming everything from water management to pest monitoring through satellite data.
Zafar-2
Zafar-2 is the product of a decade of research at Iran University of Science and Technology.
It carries a multispectral camera, a “store-and-forward” (S&F) data system, and a radiation-measurement payload—features that elevate it from an educational satellite to an operational one.
The S&F system, supporting up to 256 simultaneous users, has a clear implication for Iran: reliable access to data from locations with no terrestrial infrastructure—from offshore oil rigs and ships to earthquake zones and seismic stations.
Zafar-2 is therefore not just a scientific tool but a critical link in Iran’s geospatial information security chain.
Paya: The Government’s Precision Eye for Territorial Management
Paya, developed by Iran Electronics Industries, is equipped with imaging capabilities of five meters (panchromatic) and ten meters (multispectral).
Its mission is strictly governmental: monitoring agriculture, water resources, wetland changes, disaster management, and urban mapping.
In national land-management architecture, Paya resembles what some countries call a “state satellite”.
Amid drought, energy stress, and climate-driven migration, Paya’s five-meter data could shape high-level policy decisions—from price regulation of agricultural products to forecasting environmental crises.
Taken together, the three satellites illustrate a clear trend: Iran is building a sovereign space-infrastructure layer, one whose strategic value could soon rival that of dams, railways, or energy industries.
In the past, satellites were instruments of “capability demonstration.” Today—through Kosar, Zafar-2, and Paya—they have become instruments of national management.
Iran is effectively pursuing three strategic objectives:
- Reducing information dependence
All three satellites generate data that previously had to be purchased from foreign commercial providers—or was simply unavailable.
- Stabilizing the economy and food security
From precision agriculture and water governance to urban oversight and environmental monitoring.
- Taking the first real step toward constellation building
For the first time, Iran is launching three complementary observation satellites simultaneously—moving from isolated single missions to an interconnected orbital network.
This launch is not just a scientific achievement; it marks the start of a competition whose nature is not military but informational.
The country that holds more accurate and continuous data about the Earth will possess greater capacity for territorial governance, food security, crisis management, and even economic leverage.
The three Iranian satellites aboard the Soyuz indicate that Tehran has understood this reality—and is moving quickly to secure its place in the data-driven future.