On November 5, 2024, Russia successfully launched a Soyuz-2.1 rocket from the Vostochny Cosmodrome, carrying two Ionosfera-M satellites and 53 smaller satellites, including two from Iran.
The Ionosfera-M satellites are designed to monitor space weather and will be part of a system focused on the Earth's ionosphere, which extends approximately 50 to 400 miles (80 to 644 km) above the surface. Each satellite weighs 430 kg (948 lb) and operates at an altitude of 820 km (510 miles). A total of four Ionosfera-M satellites are planned, with the next two set for launch in 2025.
Among the 53 small satellites launched are the Iranian Kowsar, a high-resolution imaging satellite, and the Hodhod, a small communications satellite. Additionally, the mission included the first Russian-Chinese student satellite, Druzhba ATURK.
This launch follows a previous mission in February 2024, where Russia deployed an Iranian research satellite aimed at topographical scanning of Iran.