On November 6, 2024, Iran successfully launched two satellites, Kowsar and Hodhod, from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia. Developed by a private Iranian company, these satellites are positioned in a 500-kilometer orbit and are designed for agricultural and Internet of Things (IoT) applications.
Both satellites were deployed using a Soyuz rocket, which utilizes RP1 liquid fuel. The rocket's engines require an oxidizer, such as liquid oxygen, to facilitate combustion in the low-oxygen environment of space.
The Hodhod satellite, weighing approximately 4 kilograms, is a CubeSat designed for narrowband IoT missions in agriculture, transportation, and environmental monitoring. It features sensors including a gyroscope for maintaining its orbital position, although it lacks propulsion for orbital adjustments.
Kowsar, weighing around 30 kilograms, is recognized as Iran's first CubeSat. It is equipped with cameras capable of capturing high-quality images in near-infrared and RGB spectrums, facilitating agricultural imaging at a rate of six frames per second.
Upon reaching orbit, both satellites do not require propulsion and can remain in space for extended periods. The success of this launch marks a significant technological and scientific achievement for Iran's space industry, highlighting the country's growing capabilities in space technology.