The Minister of Information and Communications Technology Seyed Sattar Hashemi said the government of President Masoud Pezeshkian regards the space industry as a strategic field, expressing the ministry’s support for the development of space infrastructure.
“This field has extensive
potential for developing smart agriculture, water resources management, land
management, and improving the quality of data-driven governance in the country,”
he said.
Hashemi also said that the main
asset of Iran’s space industry is its elite human capital as well as the indigenous
knowledge, stressing, “The space industry will not be stopped by threats and
destruction.”
The ICT Minister reiterated government’s
support for rebuilding and strengthening the capacities of the space industry
after the Israel-US imposed-war, expanding space applications in people’s
lives, broadening technology diplomacy, and utilizing the capabilities of the
private sector.
He made the remarks in a meeting
with the experts and directors of the Iranian Space Research Center and the
Iranian Space Agency during which he welcomed the achievements in the field of
space industry and endeavors of its dedicated employees.
“The view of the ICT Ministry and
the government toward the space industry is a strategic one,” Hashemi added, “This
sector has extensive capacities for the development of smart agriculture, water
resource management, land management, and improving the quality of data-driven
governance in the country.”
Human Capital, Indigenous
Knowledge
Hashemi hailed the measures taken
to safeguard infrastructure and maintain communication with satellites during
the war as a valuable achievement for the country and said, “The continuation
of the country’s space activities under difficult conditions is the result of
the commitment, expertise, and around-the-clock efforts of colleagues in this
sector.”
“The enemy believed that by
damaging the country’s space infrastructure it could halt the development of
this industry. However, the most important asset of Iran’s space industry is
its indigenous knowledge and the specialized capabilities of its human
resources -- an asset that has been built through the efforts of the country’s
specialists and has made reconstruction and the continuation of progress
possible.”
“Transforming threats into
opportunities and continuing space activities under difficult conditions showed
that the human capital of this sector is the greatest support for the country’s
space industry, and this increases the responsibility of executive bodies to
support this sector,” he noted.
Pars-2 Satellite
Referring to upcoming plans for
the country’s space industry, the ICT Minister stated, “The necessary planning
is underway for placing the Pars-2 satellite into orbit.”
Expressing hope regarding the
establishment of the Space Research Center at the ICT Ministry headquarters, he
announced the pursuit of short-, medium-, and long-term plans to provide
suitable workspaces for employees in this sector throughout the country.
Technology Diplomacy, Space
Industry Resilience
Hashemi further termed the
activation of technology diplomacy as one of the important capacities of the
space industry.
“With the country moving beyond
the conditions resulting from the Israel-US imposed-war and the emergence of
new opportunities, precise planning must be undertaken to reorganize the space
industry and take advantage of new capacities for international cooperation.”
“The development of satellite constellations,
especially in the field of communications satellites, is among the country’s
priorities,” he added, “The Shahid Soleimani constellation will also be ready
for launch by the end of the year.”
The ICT Minister introduced two
main solutions for increasing the resilience of the space industry: Engagement
with aligned countries and utilizing the capacities of the private sector.
“Simultaneous attention to these
two paths can provide the basis for the sustainable development of the
country’s space industry.”
New Markets for Space Services
Hashemi emphasized needs analysis
and identifying new markets for space services and said, “Energy management,
resource management, and other national needs can become new markets for space
technologies, and alongside commercialization, the issue of marketing must also
receive serious attention.”
He identified energy supply as
one of the main challenges in the development of the country’s communications
sector and called for the use of space technology capacities to assist in
managing this area.
Regarding the necessity of
preparing a single roadmap approved by all agencies to achieve e-government and
data-driven governance, Hashemi stated, “Achieving this goal requires
cooperation and interaction among responsible agencies.
“It is expected that specialized
organizations in the space sector will play an effective role in this regard.”
Also at the meeting directors and
specialists of the space industry presented reports on the status of
infrastructure, the extent of damage inflicted on some space facilities and
equipment in various parts of the country.
They also briefed the ICT Minister onthe measures taken to reduce the effects of the war damages, and discussed
solutions for continuing activities and developing the industry.