In a groundbreaking development for Iran's aerospace ambitions, three domestically produced remote-sensing satellites—Paya, Kowsar, and Zafar-2—have successfully transitioned into the crucial in-orbit testing phase just one week after their launch. This milestone represents a significant achievement for the nation’s space and communication initiatives.
During the intricate orbital tests, all three satellites have moved forward into evaluating their subsystem performances, with reports indicating that their overall operational conditions are favorable. However, it's important to note that during the Paya satellite's orbital deployment, an issue arose with its launch vehicle, prompting engineers to focus intensely on stabilizing the satellite. Precise corrective measures were implemented, showcasing the expertise of the engineering team.
The Paya satellite, also referred to as Tolou-3, has completed extensive testing on various systems, including its power supply and distribution, thermal management, telemetry and telecommand communications, positioning, stabilization, and attitude control subsystems. Presently, the evaluation of its imaging communication subsystem is ongoing, which is critical for its primary functions.
Meanwhile, the Kowsar satellite has effectively wrapped up assessments of its power supply, thermal management, and other foundational systems, and it has now entered the testing phase for its attitude control and pointing capabilities. Similarly, the Zafar-2 satellite has concluded preliminary tests on its power supply, thermal management, positioning, and communication subsystems, and is currently engaged in additional evaluations on related systems.
The stability of Zafar-2's rotation has been deemed satisfactory, and once the current tests are finalized, assessments regarding its attitude control and data management functions—including transmission, storage, and retransmission—will begin.
It’s noteworthy that satellite in-orbit testing is a detailed and methodical process that unfolds over several weeks post-launch. During this period, each subsystem's functionality is rigorously evaluated under the actual conditions of space, ensuring that everything operates as intended.
As per the planned schedule, technical summaries detailing the measures taken and results achieved throughout these tests will gradually be made available to specialists and space enthusiasts alike.
On December 28, 2025, these three Iranian satellites—Zafar-2, Paya (Tolou-3), and Kowsar—were launched aboard Russia's robust Soyuz rocket and were successfully positioned in orbit. Shortly after their launch, the first essential signals from the satellites were received, signaling that they were functioning normally.
The Zafar-2 satellite boasts a resolution of 15 meters, meaning each pixel in its imagery corresponds to a 15 by 15 square meter area on Earth's surface. While this level of detail may not suffice for identifying small objects such as vehicles, it serves as a vital tool for broader national oversight. Officials can utilize this capability to monitor forest conditions, track water resource changes, and assess agricultural health on a large scale.
The Paya satellite represents a new era of advanced Iranian satellite technology. Weighing in at 150 kilograms, it employs cutting-edge telescopic camera technology that surpasses traditional lens-based cameras and offers a baseline resolution of 5 meters. Remarkably, the integration of artificial intelligence algorithms allows for an enhancement in image quality, sharpening the resolution down to an impressive 3 meters.
Additionally, the Paya satellite is equipped with a propulsion system designed to adjust its altitude and maintain its orbit over extended periods, further underscoring its advanced capabilities.
