Russia Helps Iran Launch Research Satellite Pars 1 into Space

Reports from Iran's state media have confirmed that Russia has effectively launched an Iranian research satellite into space. The Pars 1 research-sensing satellite, carried by a Russian Soyuz rocket, will observe Iran's topography from an orbit around 500 km above the Earth. 

 With a weight of 134 kg and three cameras on board, the Pars 1 satellite was deployed from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in 2016, situated in Russia's Amur region within the Far East. This cosmodrome is close to the Russian-China border and approximately 1500 km away from Vladivostok.

 Iran's Information and Communications Minister, Issa Zarepour, explained the decision to launch from a Russian base by stating that Iran's current launch sites lack the capability to place satellites in the correct position for a sun-synchronous orbit. 

This collaboration highlights the growing scientific ties between Russia and Iran amidst challenges from US sanctions. This isn't the first instance of joint space endeavors between the two nations, as in 2022, Russia also launched Iran's Khayyam sensing satellite from Kazakhstan's Baikonur Cosmodrome. The successful launch of the Pars 1 satellite further cements the partnership in space research and exploration. .