Tehran – SABA:
Iran successfully launched its “Nahid 2” communications satellite into space on Friday using a Russian Soyuz rocket from the Vostochny Cosmodrome, according to Iran’s official news agency.
Researchers from Iran’s Space Agency, under the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology, developed the satellite in collaboration with a network of knowledge-based companies in the country.
Weighing approximately 110 kilograms, Nahid 2 marks a major step forward in Iran’s space program, particularly in the field of satellite communications and the development of low-earth orbit (LEO) and geostationary (GEO) satellite systems.
Iranian Space Agency Chief Hassan Salarieh confirmed that the satellite was successfully placed into its designated orbit.
He also announced that “Nahid 3”, the third-generation version of the satellite, is currently under design and construction with enhanced capabilities and will be launched soon aboard an Iranian-made satellite launch vehicle.
Salarieh stated:
“This satellite was designed and built domestically as part of our efforts to advance space-based communications technologies. It’s the first satellite in this family to reach orbit.”
He added that Nahid 2 will be the first Iranian satellite to operate in the KU frequency band, enabling broadband communications across the country — a technology built and tested for the first time in Iran.
He also noted:
“Compared to its predecessors, Nahid 2 has improved functionality, features, and applications. It integrates a variety of telecommunications and satellite communications technologies, including an advanced model for multi-band communications that has also been utilized in other satellite projects.”