Iran aims to launch foreign satellites
Iran plans to blast foreign satellites into space from its launch bases using indigenous carriers “within the next two years,” Communications Minister Issa Zarepour said on Monday.
“We are trying to enhance the country’s space industry to a level where we can confidently put other nations’ satellites into space from Iranian launch sites,” Zarepour was quoted as saying by IRNA.
He hailed Iran’s progress in the space industry over the past two years, when the country “had more launches and space-related events compared to a decade earlier”.
According to the minister, Iranian launchers can ferry satellites weighing between 100kg and 200kg.
Moreover, he added, Iran has ground stations for receiving satellite signals.
Zarepour also said that Iran has reached self-sufficiency in manufacturing imaging and remote sensing satellites and that it is working on improving the accuracy of Iranian satellites.
“This indicates that the space industry has become indigenous in our country, as we are currently utilizing the complete cycle of space technology to improve the quality of life for our people in various sectors,” the minister pointed out.