 "Russia on Sunday sent three Iranian communications satellites into orbit, the second such launch since July, Iranian state television reported. Image Credit: AP")
Moscow sent at least three Iranian communications satellites into orbital space, which is considered to be the second such launch since July, Iranian television reported.
According to the report, the Russian rocket sent the satellites to circle the Earth on a 500-kilometer (310-mile) orbit from the Vostochny launchpad in eastern Russia.
The three satellites have been named Paya, Kowsar, and Zafar-2. Paya is said to be the heaviest, weighing around 150 kilograms (330 pounds), and is also seen as the heaviest satellite which Iran has ever deployed.
Kowsar weighs 35 kilograms (77 pounds), but the report didn’t specify how heavy Zafar-2 is.
Life span of five years
The satellites feature up to 3-meter resolution images, applicable in the management of water resources, agriculture and the environment. Their life span is up to five years.
Strong ties between the two countries
Russia sent Iran’s satellites into orbit, signalling the strong ties between the two nations. Russia signed a “strategic treaty” with Iran in January, condemning the Israeli and US strikes on Iran amid the West Asia crisis. The strikes killed nearly 1,100 Iranians, including military commanders and nuclear scientists.
As a long-standing project, Iran from time-to-time launches satellite carriers to send its satellites into space.
Iran’s satellite launch defy UNSC resolution
The United States has said that Iran’s satellite launch does not fall with the UN Security Council resolution. UN sanctions related to Iran’s ballistic missile program expired in 2023.