Tehran : Iran is set to formally unveil Rad-1, its first domestically developed radar-imaging satellite, marking a technological transition in the country’s space program from optical Earth observation to microwave-based reconnaissance.
The announcement was made on February 9 by Hassan Salarieh, head of the Iranian Space Agency, who said the satellite has reached the final stages of assembly and calibration. Initial orbital parameter preparations have already been completed, according to the agency.
Shift to Radar-Based Earth Observation
Rad-1 represents the first operational platform in a new Iranian satellite family based on Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology. Unlike earlier Iranian satellites such as the Pars and Nour series, which relied on visible-light optical sensors, SAR systems transmit microwave signals and analyze their reflections to generate images of the Earth’s surface.
This approach allows data collection in conditions that limit optical systems, including cloud cover, dust, smoke, and darkness. Officials say the move reflects Iran’s intent to develop persistent, independent Earth-observation capabilities.
Technical Characteristics
According to information released by the space agency, Rad-1 operates primarily in the X-band of the microwave spectrum and is designed for medium-resolution radar imaging. The satellite’s reported ground resolution is better than 50 meters.
Key technical features include continuous day-and-night imaging capability and full all-weather operation. A follow-on satellite, Rad-2, is currently under development and is expected to improve resolution to better than 20 meters, indicating a planned incremental expansion of Iran’s radar-imaging performance.
Strategic and Security Context
The development of Rad-1 comes after a period of heightened regional military tension, including a 12-day conflict in June 2025 involving Israel and the United States that resulted in strikes on Iranian nuclear and ballistic-missile-related facilities.
Military analysts note that radar satellites provide advantages in strategic monitoring because their signals are not dependent on light or clear skies. SAR systems are particularly effective at identifying large metallic objects and structural changes on the ground, even when targets are camouflaged or relocated.
Potential applications include maritime surveillance in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, monitoring of mobile air- and missile-defense systems, and rapid post-strike damage assessment of infrastructure sites such as Natanz and Isfahan. The capability also supports independent situational awareness without reliance on foreign satellite data.
Launch Plans and Infrastructure
Iranian officials have not disclosed an exact launch date, citing security considerations, but indicated the unveiling and launch are expected before the end of the Iranian calendar year in March 2026.
The launch is expected to be conducted from one of Iran’s domestic spaceports. Officials have pointed to the Chabahar Space Base as a likely site. The facility’s first operational phase is reported to be 93 percent complete and optimized for solid-fuel launch vehicles.
Broader Space Program Direction
Rad-1 is part of a broader Iranian effort to expand indigenous satellite manufacturing, launch infrastructure, and orbital operations. By adding radar-based Earth observation to its existing optical systems, Iran aims to establish a more comprehensive and resilient space-based monitoring architecture.
Officials describe the satellite as a foundational step in a longer-term program that will include higher-resolution radar platforms and expanded coverage in future launches.
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