Russia launches Iranian Pars 1 satellite into space for topographical research

The satellite, designed for topographical research, was placed into an orbit 500 km (310 miles) above Earth, as reported by Iran's state media on Thursday. Launched from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia's Far East, the Pars 1 weighs 134 kg (295 pounds) and carries three cameras to conduct its sensing missions.

The Vostochny Cosmodrome, operational since 2016 and located near the border with China, is about 1,500 km (930 miles) from Vladivostok. Iran's reliance on a Russian launch site was explained by the Information and Communications Minister, Issa Zarepour, who stated that Iran's domestic launch capabilities are not yet suited for achieving the desired sun-synchronous orbit. This collaboration underscores the deepening scientific ties between Iran and Russia, both subject to U.S. sanctions, following the launch of Iran's Khayyam sensing satellite from Kazakhstan's Baikonur Cosmodrome in 2022.