Iran has sent Russia two locally made satellites that will be launched into orbit by a Russian space vehicle, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Saturday, in the latest space cooperation between the two US-sanctioned countries.
The development of Kowsar, a high-resolution imaging satellite, and Hodhod, a small communications satellite, is the first substantial effort by the Iranian private space sector, according to the report.
Russia put into orbit iranian satellites in February and in 2022, when US officials expressed concern about space cooperation between Russia and Iran, fearing that the satellite would not only help Russia in Ukraine, but also help Iran monitor possible military targets in Israel and the Middle East in general.
Kowsar could be used in agriculturenatural resource management, environmental monitoring and disaster management, according to Tasnim. Hodhod is designed for satellite communications and could be used in remote areas with little access to terrestrial networks.
In September, Iran launched its second satellite of the year with a rocket built by the Revolutionary Guard. The launch occurred while the United States and European countries accuse Tehran to transfer ballistic missiles to Russia that could be used in its war with Ukraine. Iran has denied this.
