ISA: Private sector faces no restrictions in satellite manufacturing
‘Shahid Soleimani’ constellation underway with consortium of private/state-owned firms
The head of the Iranian Space Agency (ISA) announced on Sunday the organization’s readiness to hand over satellite manufacturing projects to the private sector.
In an interview with ILNA, Hassan Salarieh, outlining the country’s space projects, said there are no legal restrictions on satellite production. “Based on the technical capacity and financial strength of the private sector, the agency intends to assign several projects to it.”
He explained that the reason for the new approach is the belief that competition and growth in the space industry will only occur once the private sector enters the field. Furthermore, successful participation in international collaborations and major space projects will only be possible if the private sector plays a more active role in satellite design and production, delivering multiple outputs.
However, he added, “Some high-risk projects are still better pursued and designed by government research centers, the Space Research Institute, and state-owned companies, since the technological risks of major projects should not be placed on the shoulders of the private sector. For this reason, the public sector remains more active in such areas.”
The ISA head also announced the launch of experimental models of the “Shahid Soleimani” constellation within the current year (to be ended on March 20, 2026).
Salarieh explained that “Shahid Soleimani” is Iran’s first narrowband constellation, being designed and built through a consortium of private and state-owned companies. As previously stated, prototypes of these satellites are currently being designed and manufactured.
He stressed that the project is one of the country’s most important space initiatives, as it represents the first constellation to be fully designed and built domestically, with the private sector playing a significant role in satellite production.
He went on to say that the concepts of simultaneously manufacturing multiple satellites, launching them together, managing them concurrently, and operating them as part of one constellation all involve specific technical dimensions, which are being addressed in the project.
Underlining that the construction of experimental models is nearing completion and they will soon be launched, he added that the launch of the main models must be coordinated with the launch vehicle program after ground tests are completed. He said the project has progressed well, with designs finalized and subsystem manufacturing advancing.
Salarieh elaborated on the private sector’s role in completing the agency’s projects, noting that the “Kosar” and “Hodhod” satellites were launched in 2024. These were entirely designed and manufactured by the private sector, making them the first satellites in the country to be fully developed domestically by private companies.