Iran's Space Program
Space launch site(s)
Imam Khomeini Space Center (also known as Semnan Space Center; located in Semnan province); Shahroud Space Center (in Semnan Province; operated by the IRGC); Chabahar Space Center (in Sistan and Baluchistan Province; currently under development) (2025)
Space agency/agencies
Iranian Space Agency (ISA; established in 2003); Iran Space Research Center (ISRC; founded in 2000); Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL); Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps - Aerospace Force (IRGC-ARF) (2024)
Space program overview
pursues a comprehensive civil and military space program emphasizing satellites and satellite launch vehicles (SLVs); engages in the design, construction, and operation of various satellites, encompassing communications, remote sensing (RS), and scientific research; manufactures and operates SLVs; is involved in the research and development of additional space-related capabilities and technologies across telecommunications, RS, navigation, and space situational awareness; international sanctions imposed on Iran’s weapons of mass destruction initiatives have significantly restricted its collaboration with foreign space agencies and commercial space enterprises; nevertheless, in recent years, it has partnered with North Korea and Russia, along with regional and global space organizations such as the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization and the International Telecommunications Satellite Organization; Iran was a founding member of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) established in 1958; maintains an active private space sector (2025)
Key space-program milestones
1998 - initiated the development of a 2-stage satellite/space launch vehicle (SLV) known as Safir.
2006 - achieved the first successful launch of a small, domestically manufactured communications and research satellite named Omid using the Safir SLV.
2010 - commenced the development of a more advanced 2-stage orbital SLV, referred to as Simorgh (also known as Safir-2).
2011 - successfully launched the first domestically produced remote sensing (RS) satellite, Rasad, utilizing the Safir SLV.
2020 - successfully placed the RS microsatellite Noor into orbit using a 3-stage SLV called Qased (or Messenger).
2021 - conducted the inaugural launch of a road-mobile 3-stage SLV, Zuljanah.
2022 - completed a suborbital test of a new small-lift SLV named Quam-100.