WANA (Jan 22) – The CEO of an Iranian space-based tech company has announced that the upgraded “Kowsar 1.5” satellite will be launched in the first half of next year.

 

Hosein Shahrabi shared the news during the Supreme Leader’s visit to an exhibition showcasing private sector achievements. The “Kowsar 1.5” satellite, an advanced version of the Kowsar and Hodhod satellites, was successfully launched on November 5, 2024. These satellites focus on remote sensing (Kowsar) and IoT applications (Hodhod) and play a pivotal role in advancing precision agriculture.

 

Shahrabi says over 85% of the satellite’s components have been domestically produced. Even if all the parts were imported, the design and construction were entirely carried out by Iranian specialists, making this a fully indigenous project. ”

 

Despite challenges posed by sanctions, Shahrabi emphasized the successful navigation of these obstacles, transforming threats into opportunities. He also revealed plans to develop a satellite constellation, leveraging investment to expand the project’s scope.

 

Shahrabi highlighted the critical role of government in supporting the space industry. He urged the government to guarantee the market for space services and pre-purchase these services while also addressing regulatory barriers.

 

“Unreasonable regulatory hurdles and insufficient understanding of the space industry among oversight agencies reduce the boldness of state managers to pursue large-scale projects, creating significant challenges for us,” Shahrabi noted.