Hossein Shihabi, CEO of Marafiya Airlines, revealed the plan on the sidelines of the visit of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Tuesday, to an exhibition showcasing the achievements of the private sector.
According to Al-Shehabi, the new satellite, called “Kawthar 1.5,” is based on the previous Kawthar and Hodhud satellites, which were launched into orbit on November 5, 2024.
These satellites were developed to serve different missions: Kawsar for remote sensing, and Hodhud for the Internet of Things (IoT), both of which are crucial to the development of precision agriculture.
Al-Shehabi pointed out that more than 85% of the components used in these satellites have been localized. “Even if all the components were imported, the design and construction of these satellites was entirely carried out by local experts, making this a completely local project,” he said.
He also pointed to the challenges posed by sanctions, stressing how Iran can turn threats into opportunities, and expressing his hope to secure investments to design and produce a constellation of these satellites.
The aviation industry figure stressed the crucial role of government support in promoting this field. He called for state guarantees for the space services market and advance purchase commitments by the government to encourage further innovation.
Middle East and North Africa region/
