Iran expanding satellite program amid global concerns over military implications

Iran has announced plans to launch a satellite constellation in the coming months amid growing concerns over its ballistic missile program.

Hassan Salarieh, head of Iran's Space Organization, confirmed that the Martyr Soleimani satellite constellation, aimed at developing the Internet of Things (IoT), is one of the key projects currently under production.

With 20 satellites slated for launch, Salarieh said that these are part of a broader plan to enhance Iran’s technological capabilities.

"The Martyr Soleimani constellation is a narrowband constellation, designed to support IoT development. This is just one of several important satellite projects we are working on," he said.

Iran’s space endeavors began in 2009 with the launch of the Omid (Hope) satellite. The government insists that its space activities are solely peaceful, yet the dual-use nature of space technology—capable of supporting both civilian and military operations—has raised alarms, particularly among the United States and its allies.

In recent years, Iran has stepped up efforts to improve and expand its space capabilities.

The planned launch of a new space vehicle follows Iran's January 2024 launch of the Soraya satellite, which was carried into orbit aboard the Qaem 100 rocket. That mission drew condemnation from European countries, including Britain, France, and Germany, all of which are part of the now-fractured nuclear agreement with Iran, the JCPOA.

In a joint statement earlier this year, the European Troika expressed concern over Iran's ongoing missile tests, highlighting that the Qaem 100 launcher uses the same technology as Iran’s long-range ballistic missiles.

These launches enable Iran to test technologies that could potentially advance its ballistic missile program, the statement warned, emphasizing that such activities pose a significant threat to both regional and international security.

Further compounding these worries, Iran’s collaboration with Russia in space activities has added another layer of geopolitical complexity. In November 2024, two Iranian satellites—Kowsar, a high-resolution imaging satellite, and Hodhod, a small communications satellite—were launched aboard a Russian Soyuz rocket.

"Several research satellites are also underway, including Pajouhesh (Research) 1,2,3,4 as well as Nahid 2 and Nahid 3, which are ready for launch," Salarieh added. "In addition to these, we have satellites in the telecommunications and sensing fields, with launches set to begin soon."

As Iran continues to develop its space program, the potential for dual-use technology—intended for both civilian and military purposes—remains a point of contention.