ALBAWABA - The State Corporation for Space Activities (Roscosmos), the state corporation of the Russian Federation responsible for space flights, cosmonautics programs, and aerospace research, announced the launch of 55 new space satellites, two of which are intended for Iran. This move is seen as strengthening the ties between the two countries.
Russia launches space satellites for Iran
The Russian rocket Soyuz carried two Iranian satellites, named Kowsar and Hodhod, into space, according to Roscosmos. The corporation confirmed the successful launch of the rocket and its payload, which included 51 Russian satellites, two Iranian satellites, a Russian-Chinese satellite, and a Russian-Zimbabwean satellite.
Iranian Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali said in a post on X: “In continuation of the development of Iran-Russia scientific and technological cooperation, two Iranian satellites, Kowsar and Hodhod, will be launched to a 500 km orbit of the earth on Tuesday, Nov. 5, by a Soyuz launch vehicle.”
Russia welcomed Iran's decision to launch the two satellites, Kowsar and Hodhod, viewing it as a significant step toward Iran's entry into the space field.
The two Iranian satellites will serve diverse sectors, including agriculture, transportation, environment, and mapping, according to Omid Faza, the Iranian private space company that built Kowsar and Hodhod space satellites. (Shutterstock)
Institute for the Study of War, the American nonprofit research group and advocacy think tank, stated in a report: “A prominent Kremlin-affiliated milblogger hailed the Kousar and Hodhod launches as the latest example of growing bilateral cooperation between Russia and Iran in the space sector.”
It is worth mentioning that the two Iranian satellites will serve diverse sectors, including agriculture, transportation, environment, and mapping, according to Omid Faza, the Iranian private space company that built Kowsar and Hodhod space satellites.
Iran confirms its space activities are peaceful
On the other hand, Iran confirmed that its air and space activities are peaceful, stating that the country adheres to the resolutions of the UN Security Council. However, Western governments fear that Iran could use this technology to develop ballistic missiles and nuclear warheads.
Additionally, Russian President Vladimir Putin met Masoud Pezeshkian, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran at BRICS summit and stressed on the growing trade and economic relationships between the two countries.
