Three Iranian Satellites Fully Operational After Soyuz Launch

Date: 06 January 2026 - 21:48

News ID: ۱۴۷۷۴۵

TEHRAN -- Iran has successfully received the first image from its Tolou-3 (Paya) satellite, the head of the Iranian Space Agency, Hasan Salarieh, announced Tuesday.

Salarieh stated that three Iranian satellites were launched aboard a Soyuz rocket on January 7, entering orbit successfully. Initial communications established the same evening confirmed the satellites’ operational health.

Salarieh noted that the Paya satellite initially experienced slightly higher rotational speed after deployment. “Fortunately, stabilization operations conducted over the past week resolved this issue,” he said.

All three satellites are now functioning well, according

to the Iranian Minister of Communications. The next phase involves orbital testing and subsystem evaluation, which includes communications, telemetry, power distribution, thermal control, stabilization, and the payloads for imaging or telecommunications.
“Subsystem verification is critical,” Salarieh emphasized. “The power and communications systems are vital—any malfunction could render a satellite inoperable. The telemetry and command link allows us to send instructions from Earth and receive data from 500 kilometers above the surface.” He added that careful step-by-step monitoring ensures the satellites remain fully operational.
The Paya satellite has now entered the payload testing phase. “Its main imaging cameras have been activated, and the first image has been successfully received,” Salarieh confirmed.
The next critical step is camera calibration, which corrects geometric distortions, color balance, and positional accuracy. “Even micrometer-level shifts caused by launch stresses or temperature variations can affect image quality,” he explained.
The other satellites, Kowsar and Zafar, are performing well. Kowsar’s rotational stabilization and communications systems are operational, and its earth-pointing capabilities are being tested. “Accurate pointing is crucial for imaging,” Salarieh said. Zafar has completed stabilization, with its communications and power subsystems functioning properly. Its earth-pointing operations will begin soon.
All three satellites are capable of imaging. Paya has a 10-meter resolution in color and 5 meters in black-and-white, Kowsar offers around 4 meters, and Zafar provides approximately 15 meters.
Salarieh highlighted that Paya’s primary optical payload uses a mirror system, improving image quality. These satellites serve multiple purposes: agricultural monitoring, water resources management, environmental monitoring, disaster assessment, and map updates.
In addition to imaging, Kowsar and Zafar support Internet of Things (IoT) applications, enabling low-data communication in remote or crisis areas. For example, Zafar can simultaneously communicate with 256 users when in view of ground stations, providing fast coverage for real-time data collection and disaster management.
Iran is working on high-resolution satellites, aiming for imaging precision better than one meter. Pars-2 and Pars-3 are in development, expected to achieve 2.5 meters resolution. Satellites with 4-, 2-, and 1-meter precision are being designed domestically. In telecommunications, Nahid-2, launched in August, focuses on bandwidth expansion and longevity, while Nahid-3 is being designed for a 36,000-kilometer geostationary orbit to provide continuous coverage.
A major upcoming project is the Shahid Soleimani satellite constellation, planned to launch from late 2026 or early 2027. It will include 24 narrowband satellites supporting IoT services, allowing rapid data access nationwide—critical for disaster response, environmental monitoring, and infrastructure management.
Salarieh emphasized the importance of both domestic and international collaborations. “While we rely on local launchers and technology, international cooperation helps increase our satellite deployment and access high-resolution imagery,” he said.
He added that reliable satellite performance enhances domestic confidence in space technology and attracts talented experts, accelerating the development of Iran’s space industry.