Russia Sends 3 Iranian Satellites into Orbit, Report Says — A Strategic Leap in Space Cooperation

On December 28, 2025, Russia successfully launched and placed three Iranian satellites into orbit — marking another milestone in the expanding space cooperation between Moscow and Tehran. According to Iranian state television and multiple international news reports, the three satellites — Paya, Kowsar, and Zafar-2 — were lofted into space aboard a Russian Soyuz-2.1b rocket from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia’s Far East. �

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This mission represents the second time in 2025 that Russia has helped Iran deploy satellites into orbit, underscoring the deepening strategic partnership between the two nations. �

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🚀 The Launch: Details and Significance

The Soyuz rocket carrying the Iranian payload took off from Vostochny, a key Russian spaceport designed to reduce dependency on the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan and to boost Russia’s independent space launch capabilities. �

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Once in space, the satellites were placed into a low Earth orbit approximately 500 kilometres above the planet. Among the three:

Paya is the heaviest and most advanced of the group at about 150 kilograms, making it the largest Iranian satellite Iran has ever placed into orbit.

Kowsar weighs around 35 kilograms, while details on Zafar-2’s weight were not fully disclosed. �

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These satellites are designed primarily for remote sensing and communications — collecting imagery and data that can be used for agriculture, environmental monitoring, water resource management, and natural resource mapping. Their imaging capabilities reportedly offer resolution up to 3 metres, and they are expected to remain operational for several years. �

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🛰️ Iran’s Growing Space Ambitions

Iran’s space program has steadily advanced over the past decade despite significant international pressure and sanctions. While Iran has developed and launched its own small satellites in the past, its reliance on Russian launch services for orbit insertion continues to be a practical necessity — especially for larger and more sophisticated spacecraft. �

Iran News Daily

According to Iranian officials, the satellites were designed and built in Iran, reflecting growing domestic capabilities in spacecraft manufacturing. In comments following the launch, Iran’s Space Agency highlighted the role of universities, government agencies, and private companies in the satellites’ development — signaling a broader push to strengthen Iran’s space industry and indigenous technological expertise. �

Iran News Daily

This collaborative launch also marked one of the most complex multi-satellite deployments undertaken by the Iranian space program to date, as three domestically developed satellites were placed into orbit in a single mission. �

Tehran Times

🤝 Russia–Iran Strategic Ties in Space

The satellite launch was more than a scientific or technological achievement — it was a symbolic display of the growing Russo-Iranian alliance. The two countries signed a “strategic partnership” treaty earlier in 2025, and their cooperation has extended beyond space to include broader political and military dimensions. �

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Russia’s willingness to support Iran’s space ambitions comes at a time of heightened tensions with the United States and some Western nations. Tehran has faced sustained criticism over its missile and satellite programs, which critics argue could have dual-use applications tied to ballistic missile development. U.S. officials have previously stated that Iran’s satellite launches could potentially violate United Nations Security Council resolutions related to missile technology — although related sanctions expired in 2023. �

GBH

By helping launch Iranian satellites, Russia is not just providing technical assistance — it is also sending a geopolitical message about its alliances and its role in shaping a multipolar world order in which Western influence, particularly that of the United States, is contested.

🌍 Broader Implications and Future Outlook

The mission reflects a broader trend in space cooperation where countries outside traditional Western-led space networks are forging new partnerships. Russia, which has faced its own challenges in maintaining global leadership in space, is seeking to leverage such collaborations to secure its position and sustain its launch industry amid geopolitical headwinds. �

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For Iran, satellite capabilities — especially in Earth observation — have immediate civil and economic benefits, from monitoring agricultural output to responding to natural disasters. Long term, these technologies contribute to national pride and prestige, while gradually building a foundation for more advanced aerospace goals. �

KPBS Public Media

Looking ahead, observers will be watching whether Iran continues to expand its launch frequency, possibly diversifying beyond Russian boosters (such as developing indigenous launch vehicles) and how its evolving space program intersects with regional and global geopolitics.

🧠 Conclusion

The December 28 satellite launch marks a significant milestone for Iranian space ambitions and showcases a sophisticated level of Russia-Iran cooperation in space exploration. What began as a practical technical partnership has grown to embody broader geopolitical currents, reflecting deeper diplomatic ties and shared interests in an increasingly contested global landscape. With these three satellites now orbiting Earth, both nations have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding their presence beyond our planet — and to steering the future of space collaboration on their terms. �

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