Roscosmos announced that the payload consists of two Aist-2T satellites along with 50 smaller spacecraft. The Aist-2T satellites are intended for capturing images of the Earth’s surface and generating stereoscopic images to develop digital terrain models. Additionally, they will aid in monitoring fires, floods, and volcanic activities.
Roscosmos indicated that the two Aist-2T satellites, designated Number 1 and Number 2, will work in tandem to enhance data precision. They are expected to have a minimum operational life of five years.
Several smaller satellites were developed by Russian universities, and others are CubeSats from the Universat program, designed to investigate climate change and “space weather” in low Earth orbit for the Russian Hydrometeorological Service.
In a separate launch on the same day, Iran reportedly sent three communications satellites into orbit, as stated by Iranian state television. A Russian rocket successfully placed the satellites — Paya, Kowsar, and Zafar-2 — into a 500-kilometre orbit from Vostochny.
According to the report, Paya weighs 150 kilograms, making it the heaviest satellite ever launched by Iran. Kowsar has a weight of 35 kilograms, but the weight of Zafar-2 was not disclosed.
The satellites are capable of capturing images with a resolution of up to three meters. Their mission objectives include the management of water resources, agriculture, and environmental monitoring. They have a projected lifespan of up to five years.
In July, Russia also launched Iran’s Nahid-2 communications satellite. Additionally, Russia and Iran formalized a “strategic partnership” treaty in January. Russia condemned Israeli and US airstrikes on Iran during a 12-day campaign in June that resulted in nearly 1,100 casualties in Iran. In retaliation, missile strikes by Iran resulted in 28 fatalities in Israel.
Iran routinely conducts satellite launches. The United States has asserted that these launches breach a UN Security Council resolution, urging Tehran to refrain from missile activities associated with nuclear delivery systems. UN sanctions on Iran’s ballistic missile program expired in 2023.
(With input from agencies)
