PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Executive Summary —– US Legislation —– Full Report —– UN Resolution
Iran’s space program consists of two parallel organizations:
- Iranian Space Agency (ISA)
The civilian program oversees satellite development, communications systems, earth observation, scientific research, launch operations, and long-term human spaceflight initiatives. The agency reports through the Iranian government and operates launch facilities, tracking stations, and research centers. (Wikipedia)
- Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Space Program
The military space program operates separately and focuses on reconnaissance satellites, military communications, launch vehicles, and technologies with direct national security applications. The existence of this parallel military program became publicly known after the successful Noor-1 launch in 2020. (Arms Control Center)
IRAN’S LONG-TERM SPACE GOALS
Iran’s space objectives are surprisingly ambitious and have been publicly stated in multiple national planning documents.
Goal 1: Permanent Presence in Low Earth Orbit
Iran seeks a continuous constellation of satellites operating below approximately 2,000 kilometers altitude, allowing it to maintain communications, imaging, weather monitoring, navigation support, and military surveillance capabilities. (The Iran Primer)
Goal 2: Geostationary Orbit Capability
Iran has repeatedly stated its objective of placing a satellite into geostationary orbit (GEO) approximately 36,000 kilometers above Earth. This would allow a single satellite to continuously cover the Middle East and surrounding regions. GEO satellites are critical for:
- telecommunications
- television broadcasting
- military communications
- strategic command networks
Achieving GEO capability requires launch vehicles substantially more powerful than Iran currently possesses. (The Iran Primer)
Goal 3: Human Spaceflight
Iran’s long-term plan includes placing an Iranian astronaut into space aboard an indigenous spacecraft. Current planning documents envision a crewed mission by approximately 2029–2032, although timelines have shifted repeatedly due to technical and budgetary challenges. (Wikipedia)
Goal 4: Regional Space Leadership
In 2023, Iran’s Supreme Space Council approved a ten-year plan intended to make Iran the leading regional space power by the early 2030s. (Amwaj.media)
Goal 5: High-Frequency Launch Operations
Iranian aerospace officials have discussed ambitions for dramatically increasing launch cadence and eventually supporting regular orbital launches through new facilities such as Chabahar Space Center. (LinkedIn)
PROGRAM BUDGETS AND FUNDING
Determining the exact budget of Iran’s space program is difficult because significant portions of military spending are classified.
Civilian Space Budget
Open-source estimates place the annual budget of the Iranian Space Agency at approximately:
- €5 million annually for the ISA itself
- approximately €11 million annually across broader civilian space activities
These figures are extraordinarily small by international standards. For comparison:
- NASA budget: approximately $25 billion annually
- European Space Agency budget: approximately €7–8 billion annually
- Iranian civilian space budget: roughly €11 million annually
Despite these limitations, Iran has maintained launch capability, satellite development programs, and multiple spaceports. (Room The Space Journal of Asgardia)
Military Funding
The more significant funding likely resides within military and IRGC budgets.
Iran’s broader military expenditures are estimated in the tens of billions of dollars annually, with military appropriations increasing significantly in recent budgets. Some analyses indicate large increases in defense allocations tied to oil revenues. (Wikipedia)
Because the IRGC space program operates separately from the civilian agency, its actual spending is believed to be substantially higher than publicly reported civilian figures. (Arms Control Center)
LAUNCH VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT
Safir
The Safir (“Ambassador”) rocket represented Iran’s first operational orbital launch vehicle.
Capabilities:
- small payloads
- low Earth orbit missions
- technology demonstration missions
Its greatest achievement was launching Omid in 2009, making Iran an orbital-launch-capable nation. (The Iran Primer)
Simorgh
The Simorgh (“Phoenix”) is Iran’s larger civilian launch vehicle.
Capabilities:
- payloads of roughly 250 kilograms
- multiple satellite deployment capability
- improved launch reliability
The Simorgh program experienced numerous failures before achieving successful multi-satellite launches. These failures nevertheless provided valuable engineering data and accelerated program maturity. (المعهد الدولي للدراسات الإيرانية)
Qased
Developed by the IRGC, Qased launched the Noor military satellite series.
Capabilities:
- military satellite deployment
- hybrid propulsion architecture
- rapid military launch capability
The successful Noor missions demonstrated that Iran’s military space program was more advanced than many outside observers realized. (Arms Control Center)
Qaem-100
The Qaem family represents Iran’s movement toward solid-fuel launch systems.
Advantages:
- faster launch preparation
- reduced infrastructure requirements
- greater survivability
These characteristics are important both for space launches and for strategic missile development. (Wikipedia)
Zuljanah
The Zuljanah launch vehicle combines solid and liquid propulsion technologies.
Designed capabilities include:
- approximately 220 kg payload
- higher reliability
- improved staging technologies
The vehicle serves as a bridge toward more advanced launch systems. (المعهد الدولي للدراسات الإيرانية)
IRAN’S SATELLITE PROGRAMS
Communications Satellites
Communications satellites support:
- telecommunications
- television broadcasting
- internet infrastructure
- government communications
Long-term objectives include reducing dependence on foreign satellite services. (Foreign Policy In Focus)
Earth Observation Satellites
These satellites provide:
- agricultural monitoring
- drought assessment
- environmental management
- urban planning
- border monitoring
Iran frequently cites water resource management and agricultural productivity as key justifications for these systems. (Facebook)
Military Reconnaissance Satellites
The Noor series is primarily focused on:
- strategic surveillance
- intelligence collection
- military mapping
- force monitoring
Although resolution remains well below U.S., Chinese, and Russian systems, the satellites provide independent data collection capability. (Arms Control Center)
SPACE INFRASTRUCTURE
Semnan Space Center
Iran’s primary civilian launch complex.
Functions:
- satellite launches
- testing
- mission integration
- launch operations
Shahroud Space Center
Operated by the IRGC.
Functions:
- military launches
- Noor satellite missions
- solid-fuel launcher development
The facility revealed the existence of Iran’s parallel military space program. (Wikipedia)
Chabahar Space Center
Iran’s newest and most ambitious launch facility.
Long-term objectives include:
- international launch services
- commercial launches
- increased launch frequency
- support for heavier launch vehicles
Iranian officials have described Chabahar as the future centerpiece of national launch operations. (Wikipedia)
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
Iran has participated in several international partnerships.
Russia
Russia launched Iran’s first satellite (Sina-1) and later cooperated on satellite projects including Khayyam. These partnerships provided access to advanced imaging and operational experience. (The Iran Primer)
China
China has provided indirect opportunities through multilateral organizations and technology exchanges, although public details remain limited. (Room The Space Journal of Asgardia)
APSCO
Iran participates in the Asian-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization, providing access to technical collaboration and regional space initiatives. (Room The Space Journal of Asgardia)
FOOTNOTES
- Iranian Space Agency, “Iranian Space Agency,” accessed June 2026. (Wikipedia)
- Farzin Nadimi, “Part 1: Explainer—Iran’s Space Program,” United States Institute of Peace, June 3, 2022. (The Iran Primer)
- “Iran’s Ascent: A Space Power in the Shadow of Sanctions,” ROOM Space Journal. (Room The Space Journal of Asgardia)
- Samuel M. Hickey, “Iran’s Military Satellite Launch: What Just Happened?” Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, May 4, 2020. (Arms Control Center)
- “The Politics of Iran’s Space Program,” Foreign Policy in Focus. (Foreign Policy In Focus)
- “Iran’s Space Program: Timeline and Technology,” International Institute for Iranian Studies (Rasanah), April 29, 2020. (المعهد الدولي للدراسات الإيرانية)
- “Why Iran-Russia Space Collaboration Is Reaching New Heights,” Amwaj Media, February 26, 2023. (Amwaj.media)
- “Shahroud Space Center,” reference materials and launch records. (Wikipedia)
- “National Satellite Launch Base (Chabahar Space Center),” infrastructure development records. (Wikipedia)
- “Iranian Crewed Spacecraft Program,” Iranian human spaceflight planning history. (Wikipedia)