According to Khabaronline, an Iranian news agency, According to Iran’s Minister of Information and Communications Technology, the satellites, which were launched into space earlier today, transmitted their initial signals shortly after reaching orbit. He noted that success at this stage provides the necessary foundation for continued technical monitoring, orbital stabilization, and the commencement of subsequent mission phases as planned.
The satellites were launched aboard a Russian Soyuz launch vehicle from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia and injected into low Earth orbit (LEO) at an altitude of approximately 500 kilometers. Russia’s state space corporation, Roscosmos, confirmed that the launch was carried out “normally and fully in line with the mission plan,” and that the satellites would be positioned in their designated orbits according to schedule.
Roscosmos also stated that the mission included a total of 52 satellites, among them upper-stage hardware and Earth-observation satellites such as Ionosfera-M, designed to support digital modeling of the Earth’s surface. The three Iranian satellites were deployed as part of this broader multi-satellite mission.
Meanwhile, the head of the Space Group at Iran’s Ministry of Defense Electronics Industries reported that Paya is the 18th satellite launched under Iran’s space program. He explained that Paya belongs to a new class of satellites, offers wider geographic coverage, and is designed as a fully operational platform. The successful reception of its first signal, he said, confirms readiness to move forward with mission operations.
Speaking to reporters, the Minister of Communications also outlined Iran’s longer-term plans in satellite communications, emphasizing the growing global importance of satellite constellations. He explained that due to orbital motion, it is not possible for a single satellite to remain continuously above one country, making constellations essential for providing uninterrupted, real-time connectivity. Within this framework, the Shahid Soleimani satellite constellation is being pursued as a key national project aimed at ensuring continuous communications coverage across different regions.
In a related statement, the head of the Iranian Space Agency highlighted the efficiency of Iran’s space sector, noting that the country’s expenditures in space technology are relatively modest compared to the outputs achieved. He stressed that Iran’s space professionals possess strong technical capabilities and have demonstrated the potential to drive transformation across multiple high-technology fields.
The successful launch and signal reception of Zafar-2, Paya, and Kowsar represent not only a technical accomplishment, but also a sign of Iran’s sustained presence in space activities and its gradual move toward operational satellite constellations with practical applications in communications and Earth observation—strengthening its position among emerging spacefaring nations.
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