“Latest Details of the National Project of Salmas and Chenaran Space Stations”

Hassan Salarieh, Head of the Iranian Space Agency, in an interview with the Space and Astronomy correspondent of Tasnim News Agency, explained the details and importance of the Salmas and Chenaran ground stations.

He stated that the Salmas and Chenaran space centers are considered major space facilities in the northwest and northeast of the country, providing access to satellite data as well as satellite control capabilities.

He added that various antennas with different capabilities are being installed and commissioned at these centers to operate across a wide range of wavelengths and frequencies. In addition, the “Satellite Mission Control Center” is stationed at these sites, and command transmission and data reception operations are carried out through them.

Regarding the importance of these stations, Salarieh noted that the greater the number of satellite control centers—especially if wider areas from east to west of the country are covered—the more opportunities will be available to establish communication with satellites during their passes.

He continued that this leads to an increase in the “satellite communication time window,” enabling the downloading of images over longer periods.

Salarieh emphasized that this geographical expansion also shortens the process of satellite control and stabilization and accelerates “satellite stabilization” operations. Naturally, these factors are considered strategic advantages of these stations.

In conclusion, he noted that the Salmas center has already been inaugurated, and the Chenaran center will be inaugurated in the near future.