TEHRAN – Iran has revealed the flight models of its domestically developed satellites, Kowsar and Hodhod, marking a significant stride in the nation's space endeavors.

The unveiling took place at a ceremony attended by prominent figures from the private sector, gathering to commemorate the late President Ebrahim Raisi's contributions to the country's space program.

The Kowsar satellite, slated for deployment this autumn, is set to orbit approximately 500 kilometers above the Earth's surface aboard the Russian rocket Soyuz. Designed for multifaceted applications, including agricultural monitoring, mapping, and demarcation, Kowsar is equipped with dual cameras capable of capturing images with remarkable detail, boasting a resolution of 3.45 meters.

This unveiling follows Iran's recent successes in space exploration, including the February launch of the domestically constructed Pars 1 remote-sensing satellite via a Soyuz rocket from Russia’s Vostochny Cosmodrome. 

Iran also simultaneously deployed the Mahda research satellite, along with the Keyhan-2 and Hatef-1 nanosatellites, using the Simorgh (Phoenix) carrier.

Despite facing sanctions from Western nations, Iran has consistently made significant advancements in its civilian space program, positioning itself as one of the top 10 countries globally capable of developing and launching satellites. 

The unveiling of Kowsar and Hodhod underscores Iran's commitment to expanding its presence in space exploration and satellite technology, showcasing its prowess in scientific innovation and engineering excellence on the international stage.