Iran's Zafar 1 Satellite to Be Ready for Launch Soon
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran's University of Science and Technology has finished the development of its Zafar 1 communications satellite and announced its preparation for launch, while a higher-resolution satellite, Zafar 2, is also in the works.
President of Iran University of Science and Technology Dawood Younessian revealed the completion of the Zafar 1 communications satellite during a visit to ISNA News Agency.
He confirmed that the satellite is now in the final stages of preparation for launch.
“We have designed a telecommunications satellite with good imaging resolution, called Zafar 1, which captures color images with a 16.5-meter resolution,” Younessian stated.
“The testing phase for this satellite is complete, and it is scheduled for launch later this year,” he added.
In addition to Zafar 1, Younessian mentioned that the university is developing another satellite, Zafar 2, which will feature higher imaging resolution at 1.5 meters.
He explained that Zafar 2 is currently in the prototype, testing, and production stages, with plans to unveil it next year.
Younessian further noted that the Zafar 1 satellite has already been handed over for launch.
The university has previously built four satellites, Younessian said.
The first satellite was Navid, followed by Tadbir, Zafar 1, and now Zafar 2.
The university's first satellite, Navid, was successfully launched, and it served as a telecommunications and sensing satellite with a 400-meter imaging accuracy.
Zafar 1, which was developed in 2019, was designed for both telecommunications and imaging missions, capturing images with a 100-meter resolution.
The fourth satellite will carry out imaging tasks with a 16.5-meter accuracy and is equipped for data transmission between Earth and space, according to Younessian.
He emphasized that three key factors contribute to the success of a satellite: launch, placement in orbit, and the satellite’s operational efficiency.
“Two satellites developed by the University of Science and Technology have already been launched into space and successfully fulfilled their missions,” Younessian highlighted.
The president also mentioned that the fourth satellite is being developed in collaboration with Iran's Space Organization and will focus on improving data transmission speed, accuracy, and volume while offering high-resolution imaging capabilities.