TEHRAN- Iranian Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Issa Zarepour, announced that the domestically developed Pars 1 satellite is scheduled for launch on Thursday. 

This marks the 12th satellite launch during President Raisi's administration, Zarepour disclosed during a press briefing following a cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

"Pars 1, an imaging satellite, has been entirely produced within Iran," Minister Zarepour stated, highlighting the significance of international collaboration in this endeavor, as the satellite will be launched using the Russian Soyuz satellite carrier.

Looking ahead, Zarepour outlined plans for advancing Iran's space capabilities, including the completion of the initial phase of a major space center in southern Iran. 

Once operational, this facility will enable Iran to deploy satellites into orbit at a 98-degree Sun angle, enhancing the country's space exploration capabilities significantly.

Emphasizing the rapid pace of progress in Iran's space industry, Zarepour revealed that several satellites are currently in production, with anticipated launches slated for the upcoming year. 

In the end, he expressed optimism that these developments would set new records for Iran's space program.