Chabahar Space Center Offers Promising Opportunities for Space Launches in Region

This facility not only caters to Iranian satellite launches but also extends its capabilities to international partners, potentially bolstering Iran's revenue.

Iran's pursuit of space exploration and its associated advantages has prompted the nation to take significant strides in satellite technology. To this end, the construction of an advanced satellite launch facility equipped with state-of-the-art amenities remains crucial.

The Imam Khomeini National Space Center, Iran's inaugural fixed launch site, has played a pivotal role in the country's space endeavors since its inauguration in 2012. This facility encompasses all stages of space missions, from satellite preparation to launch, control, and guidance.

Situated 80 kilometers southeast of Semnan province, the Imam Khomeini National Space Center effectively fulfills Iran's requirements in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) during its final phase.

In response to geographical constraints faced by the initial space center for satellite deployment, research efforts commenced in December 2010 to establish a secondary space center. The forthcoming national space facility, known as the Chabahar Space Center, will be located in the southeastern region of Sistan and Balouchestan province, in the city of Chabahar.

Covering an expansive area of 14,000 hectares, this space center will serve as the primary hub for Iran's future space missions. The selection of this region is strategically based on its proximity to the Indian Ocean and its sparsely populated surroundings. The Space Organization holds the overarching responsibility for managing this facility, as per the directives of the Supreme Space Council.

The Chabahar Space Center is explicitly designated as a non-military launch center, intended for live payload launches, as well as the deployment of Earth observation and communication satellites into geosynchronous orbit. These operations necessitate specific conditions, ideally close to the equatorial region, to minimize launch costs and orbital adjustments.

The Chabahar Space Center is poised to unlock new possibilities in the realm of space exploration, enhancing both Iranian capabilities and international collaboration. Its completion in 2024 will mark a significant milestone, underlining the potential for this center to serve as a revenue-generating asset for the nation.

The following are some of the characteristics that make the Chabahar Space Center an ideal launch site:

1. Potential for polar and equatorial satellite placement
2. Located at 25° 20' N, 60° 27' E, harnesses the earth's rotational energy to significantly increase the launch vehicle's velocity
3. High elevation ensures launch safety
4. Deep-water port with suitable loading facilities for accommodating ocean-going vessels
5. Valuable expansive area toward the Indian Ocean with minimal risk to properties in the vicinity
6. Low population density in the region
7. Capability to install tracking equipment on surrounding hills
8. Equatorial, coastal location with moderate environment and slight seasonal temperature variations
9. Proximity to the equator reduces energy requirements for maneuvering into orbit
10. Unrestricted access to the south-facing sea prevents the adverse effects of rocket debris 
11. 30% cost exemption for Chabahar Port operations
12. 20-year tax exemption for assets and profits
13. Operates under Free Trade-Industrial Zones regulations
14. Quays with ample anchoring capacity and depth (Shahid Kalantari Old Quay and the Shahid Beheshti New Quay)
15. Provides direct access to the Indian Ocean
16.  A key transit point for global trade routes and primary transit route for eastern Iran