Iran's Nahid-2 Communications Satellite Successfully Launched into Orbit
Tehran - BORNA - Iran’s domestically developed communications satellite, Nahid-2, was successfully launched into orbit aboard a Soyuz-2.1b rocket from Russia’s Vostochny Cosmodrome on July 25, 2025, at 08:54 Moscow time. The mission marks a major step forward in Iran’s efforts to expand its indigenous space capabilities and develop next-generation satellite communication technologies.
Developed jointly by researchers at the Iranian Space Agency (ISA), the Iranian Space Research Center, and a network of knowledge-based companies, Nahid-2 is among the most advanced communications satellites built by Iran to date. The satellite weighs approximately 110 kilograms and was entirely designed, engineered, and tested within the country.
A Strategic Step Toward Satellite Constellations
Nahid-2 is viewed as a key milestone in Iran’s roadmap toward the development of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Geostationary Orbit (GEO) satellite constellations for national and regional communications. One of the mission’s core objectives is the in-orbit operational testing of Ku-band satellite communications, which has been indigenously developed for the first time in Iran. The Ku-band system is crucial for enabling high-speed, stable, and wide-range satellite communications, particularly in scenarios involving emergency and independent connectivity.
In addition to testing Ku-band communication, Nahid-2 will also evaluate a suite of other space technologies, including:
Three-axis attitude control systems
Bidirectional communication across multiple frequency bands
Data management
Onboard power distribution systems
These subsystems are being validated during the satellite’s active mission phase in orbit.
Confirmed by Russian Authorities
The launch was confirmed by Roscosmos, the Russian Federal Space Agency, which had announced the mission earlier on July 23, 2025. According to Roscosmos, the Soyuz-2.1b rocket carried a total of 21 payloads, including Nahid-2 and two Ionosfera-M space weather satellites, along with 18 small satellites from various clients.
Iranian space officials emphasized that the successful deployment of Nahid-2 represents a new phase in the country’s strategic push toward technological self-reliance in the aerospace sector. The project aligns with the national vision to establish robust satellite communication infrastructure and contribute to global advancements in satellite technology.
The mission also showcases Iran’s increasing collaboration with international partners for space launch services, while reinforcing its capabilities in satellite manufacturing and orbital operations.
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