Russian Soyuz rocket launches three Iranian satellites into space

Russia launched 52 satellites, including three Iranian ones, on a Soyuz-2.1b rocket into their planned orbits in space, Russia's space agency Roscosmos announced.

"This launch will put 50 spacecraft, apart from Aist [satellites], into orbit. These include satellites to serve scientific research and technology needs of companies based in Russia and friendly states," the state space corporation specified.

The Soyuz-2.1 carrier rocket was launched from Vostochny spaceport at 4:18 p.m. Moscow time (1:18 p.m. GMT) on Sunday. It placed the Fregat upper stage with Aist-2T satellites No. 1 and No. 2, as well as 50 rideshare satellites, into a preliminary orbit.

Three Iranian satellites - Kowsar 1.5, Paya, and Zafar-2 - were sent into space on Russia's Soyuz launchers on Sunday, Iranian state media said.

The Kowsar 1.5 satellite is an upgraded version of Iran’s previous remote-sensing platform, designed for high-resolution imaging with a focus on agricultural applications, according to Iranian officials.

It was developed by a local knowledge-based company in collaboration with the Iranian Space Agency, highlighting growing cooperation between the public and private sectors.

Zafar, another upgraded satellite, is an advanced Earth-observation platform designed and built by Iran University of Science and Technology.

Weighing approximately 100 to 135 kilograms, it is intended to transmit high-resolution images for monitoring and managing natural resources, according to reports.

Paya, the heaviest of the three satellites, was produced by Iran Electronics Industries in collaboration with the Iranian Space Agency. Weighing about 150 kilograms, it is a remote sensing satellite and considered one of the most advanced domestically built imaging satellites.

"These satellites were designed and produced by Iranian scientists," Iran's ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali said.