Iran developing over 30 satellites, plans to rebuild damaged space facilities

Iran is currently developing more than 30 satellites and plans to begin rebuilding parts of its space industry that were damaged during the Ramadan War, the head of the Iranian Space Agency, Hassan Salarieh, said.

Speaking at a conference in Neyshabur, northeastern Iran, Salarieh said the country's space industry is entirely domestic and relies on national capabilities. "We are not concerned about damage to four [i.e., several] buildings," he said, adding that reconstruction efforts would begin soon. He also said that countries perceived a serious capability as a threat, without elaborating further.

Salarieh highlighted developments in Iran's space program over the past two years, including space launches, the stabilization of the Simorgh satellite, the performance of the Nahid-2 satellite in orbit and the launch of three remote-sensing satellites. He said the launches of the Paya, Zafar and Kowsar remote-sensing satellites marked the first private-sector launches in this field and demonstrated the rapid, competitive development of Iran's space industry.

The space agency chief said further programs were planned for the coming months and that Iran expected to set new milestones in the sector. According to Mehr News, Salarieh made the remarks during a conference in Neyshabur, where he outlined the agency's recent achievements and upcoming plans.