Iran Launches Nahid-2 Satellite with Russian Help

In a significant milestone for Iran’s growing space ambitions, the Nahid-2 telecommunications and research satellite was successfully launched into orbit on 25 July 2025, aboard a Russian Soyuz rocket. The launch took place from Russia’s Vostochny Cosmodrome. The mission was part of a multi-payload deployment, which also included Russia’s Unisphere-M3 and M4 satellites, along with 18 other satellites from various countries.

Commissioned by the Iranian Space Agency (ISA) and developed by the Iranian Space Research Center, the Nahid-2 satellite weighs 110 kilograms (240 pounds) and is entirely designed and manufactured by Iranian engineers. Notably, the ISA’s logo appeared on the Soyuz rocket, marking a formal and symbolic representation of Iran’s participation in this international space mission.

Nahid-2 is designed for a five-year orbital mission, equipped with an indigenous propulsion system—a locally developed hot gas thruster capable of adjusting its altitude by up to 50 kilometers. This capability is crucial for maintaining orbital stability and precise positioning, especially for telecommunications satellites, which must maintain a fixed position relative to the Earth's surface to function effectively.

The propulsion system features advanced components, including composite tanks (lightweight, high-strength containers used to store pressurized gases), high-pressure valves, and control thrusters. These were all developed domestically, showcasing Iran’s significant advancements in aerospace engineering.

In addition to its propulsion capabilities, Nahid-2 includes other critical technologies such as domestically produced lithium-ion batteries, known for their high energy density and long life, and advanced thermal insulation materials, which protect satellite instruments from extreme temperature variations in space. These components underline Iran’s pursuit of technological self-reliance in the space sector.

The Soyuz launcher, one of the most reliable and frequently used space vehicles globally, has previously carried several other Iranian satellites into space, including Khayyam, Pars-1, Kosar, and Hodhod. However, what sets the Nahid-2 mission apart is not just its engineering but also the geopolitical context in which it occurred.

Western governments, particularly the United States and some European nations, have long voiced concerns over Iran’s space program, suggesting that advancements in satellite technology could potentially contribute to improvements in ballistic missile capabilities. These concerns stem from the dual-use nature of rocket technology, which can serve both civilian space launches and military missile development.

Interestingly, the launch coincided with a round of nuclear talks between Iran and the E3 countries (Britain, France, and Germany) held in Istanbul on the same day. This meeting marked the first diplomatic engagement since the mid-June conflict involving Israeli attacks on Iranian targets, which escalated into a 12-day confrontation and prompted U.S. military intervention, including strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.

This launch follows a series of recent advancements in Iran’s space program. In December, Iran announced it had launched its heaviest payload to date using a domestically produced satellite carrier. Earlier, in September, the country claimed to have placed the Chamran-1 research satellite into orbit using the Ghaem-100 rocket, a launcher developed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) aerospace division.

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