Russia Successfully Launches 20 Satellites Including Iran’s Nahid-2 from Vostochny Cosmodrome.
Science and Technology
In a major step towards enhancing international space cooperation, Russia launched a total of 20 satellites—including one from Iran—on July 25, 2025, using a Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket. The launch took place from the Vostochny Cosmodrome located in Amur Oblast, Russia, and included multiple scientific and communication payloads.
- The launch comprised two key Earth Observation Satellites (EOS) from Russia under the Ionosphere-M program, 17 smaller satellites by Russian companies and institutes, and the Nahid-2 communications satellite developed by Iran. The mission highlights Russia’s growing partnerships with international space agencies, particularly Iran's space organizations.
- Iran’s Nahid-2 satellite, meaning “Venus” in Persian, was developed by the Iranian Space Agency (ISA) in collaboration with the Iranian Space Research Centre (ISRC). Weighing 110 kilograms, Nahid-2 was placed into an orbit approximately 500 kilometers above Earth and is expected to function for two years. It is designed to enhance civil communication infrastructure in Iran.
- The Nahid-2 is equipped with deployable solar panels and can both send and receive telecommunication signals. Its key function is to support Iran's domestic communication network development and represents a major milestone in the country’s independent space capabilities.
Main Point :- (i) Russia’s Ionosphere-M Earth Observation Satellites No. 3 and No. 4 were the primary payloads of the launch. These satellites are intended to study Earth’s ionosphere and collect data on atmospheric weather, radiation levels, and other geophysical processes affected by natural and anthropogenic factors.
(ii) Among the 17 smaller satellites onboard, 9 were developed by Russian company Geoscan, which specializes in Earth imaging and monitoring. These satellites will also be used for traffic surveillance and to support academic research in space science.
(iii) The Russia-Iran space partnership was earlier formalized in January 2025 to enhance collaborative projects in planetary science and technology.
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President: Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin
Currency: Russian Ruble
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