Dec 28: Iran’s Space Leap, Enemies’ Sleepless Night
WANA (Dec 27) – Imagine you are in the midst of a security crisis like a war; suddenly, the maps on your phone stop working, and you are no longer able to find your way. You struggle to request internet taxis or set your location; navigation apps go haywire and show your position kilometers away…
This is not a science-fiction scenario; this is the reality of the “12-day war” and the days when Iran faced severe disruption in the GPS system.
During those days, all Iranians realized that when a country’s navigation system is “rented” and belongs to the enemy, the country is effectively in a state of “strategic blindness.”
To repel sabotaging drone attacks and other security issues, the Iranian government was forced to create interference itself on a system that was not indigenous; however, this was a temporary solution. The real cure lay within the launch pads.
December 28: A Storm in LEO Orbit
Now, right on the eve of December 28, the response from Iranian elites is on the table. Three Iranian satellites—”Kowsar-2,” “Zafar-2,” and “Paya“—are set to board the Russian giant (Soyuz), piercing the heart of the sky to settle into LEO (Low Earth Orbit), representing a step toward filling the gaps in this industry.
These satellites are the new eyes and represent one of the most significant events in the history of Iran’s space industry. According to Hassan Salarieh, the head of the Iranian Space Agency, the three aforementioned satellites are of the remote-sensing type with imaging capabilities, intended to be used for updating the country’s maps.
Salarieh, noting that these satellites are entirely indigenous and that stages such as design, construction, and the integration of the entire satellite system and subsystems were carried out within Iran, announced that satellites with higher precision are currently under construction.
Three Iranian Satellites Riding on Russia’s Soyuz
WANA (Dec 12) – In the early days of winter, Iran is sending three Earth-observation satellites—Kosar, Zafar-2, and Paya—into orbit aboard a Russian Soyuz launcher from the Vostochny Cosmodrome. At first glance, it looks like a routine space achievement. But beneath the surface, the launch reveals a shift in Iran’s strategic approach to space policy. […]
He stated that Iran is designing and manufacturing satellites with resolutions of four meters, two meters, and one meter. (The mention of “four meters, two meters, and one meter” refers to Spatial Resolution. The lower the number, the higher the detail.)
National Pride vs. Foreign Dollars
Behind the scenes of these designs, however, a human battle is underway. The struggle of specialists who say, “I had invitations from various countries but did not go,” is a symbol of a generation that chose “national pride” on their own soil over prosperity in the West.
One of these experts says that the joy of the moment when the first data is received from an indigenous satellite and the Iranian flag “dances” in orbit is incomparable to any dollar-denominated salary.
Why Do Some Young Iranians Say No to Emigration?
WANA (Aug 01) – Amir, 28 years old, is a computer engineering graduate from Sharif University of Technology. Two years ago, he was accepted by a reputable German university and even progressed to the final stages of the administrative process of emigration. But at the last moment, he decided not to go. “You could […]
This is the same driving force that has enabled Iran, with “empty hands” and in the heart of sanctions that would paralyze any industry, to become one of the top 10 to 11 space-faring nations in the world.
When Iranian Satellites Take Selfies of Washington
The launch of Iranian satellites has always been accompanied by media waves and public reactions. Some have met these launches with anger, while others have sat in admiration.
An example of these waves occurred when high-precision images from the “Khayyam” satellite of a U.S. nuclear power plant in the state of Georgia were published, causing the non-Persian-speaking virtual space to explode.
Iran’s Triple Satellite Launch Sparks Global Awe
WANA (Dec 27) – Following the announcement of the countdown for the launch of three Iranian remote-sensing satellites, a wave of admiration has emerged among international social media users regarding Iranian power and innovation. Commentators are increasingly characterizing Iran as a nation on a rapid upward trajectory. Reports from December 22 indicated that the […]
Foreign users on platforms like X and YouTube wrote with shock and amazement: “How can a country that has been under the most severe sanctions for decades take images of our most sensitive nuclear centers?”
Others, pointing to Iran’s progress, have admired the country’s possession of a complete space technology cycle (construction, launcher, launch base, and control station) and have wished for its ever-increasing advancement.
These reactions showed that Iran’s space progress is not merely a technical achievement; rather, it is a “moral and political defeat” for those who wanted to return Iran to the Stone Age.
Fear of Monopolists: Iran’s Progress Means Threat
Media coverage surrounding Iran’s space advancements has gone beyond public opinion. Some outlets have reported that Washington and Tel Aviv are closely monitoring these developments.
Global powers that have long maintained a monopoly over the space and nuclear industries understand that “information dominance” equals power. For them, Iran’s growth in these fields is perceived as a threat—not merely because of military concerns, but because it shatters their established structure of exclusivity.
These powers fear that Iran’s achievement of a complete space technology cycle could turn the country into a model for independent nations. This mirrors the nuclear energy scenario: wherever knowledge becomes indigenous and slips beyond their control, it is labeled a “security threat” to hinder that nation’s economic and scientific growth.
The Issue Is Not Nuclear Program; It Is Confronting the Unjust World Order
WANA (Dec 27) – Iran’s Supreme Leader stated: The main reason for the turmoil of corrupt and corrupting bullies is not the nuclear issue; rather, it is the raising of the flag of confronting the unjust order and the domination of the hegemonic system in the world, and Iran’s turn toward a just national and […]
Iran’s Response: Space Is Our Natural and Peaceful Right
In response to this wave of propaganda that seeks to tie Iran’s scientific progress to military objectives, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, has clearly emphasized the peaceful nature of the country’s space program. In his remarks, he stressed:
“Iran has achieved significant progress in science and technology, and these satellite launches are designed for entirely peaceful purposes and for utilization in various economic, communications, and environmental sectors.”
“This is Iran’s natural right, just like the activities of other countries active in this field, and it poses no threat to anyone,” Araghchi emphasizes that these satellites are solely for scientific and developmental purposes.
Preparation and Integration of the Kowsar Satellite to the Launch Vehicle.Social media/ WANA News Agency
Ultimately, completing the space technology chain for Iran is not a choice, but a “vital necessity” for preserving national sovereignty. The bitter experience of GPS disruption showed that the security and economy of a developing country cannot be entrusted to keys that are in the hands of others.
Moving toward high-precision remote-sensing satellites means complete oversight of water resources, agriculture, and border security without foreign dependence. December 28 marks the beginning of a new chapter where “information” will no longer be a weapon used against Iran, but a tool in the hands of domestic elites to build a stronger and more independent Iran.
