Iran is developing a new generation of remote-sensing satellites to provide Earth images with an approximate one-meter resolution as part of its push to expand its space role. Hassan Salarieh, head of Iran's Space Agency, announced that multiple satellites with this capability are currently being manufactured, with Tehran aiming to launch a cluster over the next few years.

A one-meter resolution means each pixel in an image corresponds to roughly one meter on Earth's surface, allowing operators to capture finer details than lower-resolution imagery. Salarieh noted that constellations of multiple satellites decrease the time between photographs to provide more current views of ground events, while gathering large amounts of data over vast areas in minutes.

Iran intends to utilize the satellite data for practical purposes including mapmaking, agricultural support, water resource observation, disaster relief, and tracking environmental changes. However, because satellite imagery can serve both civilian and military functions, the technology has dual-use potential for reconnaissance and targeting.

Developing an independent network grants Iran greater control over image collection without relying on foreign or private sources, having previously used Russia-developed Khayyam launched in 2022. Salarieh also announced earlier this week that the Pars-2 satellite has been finished and scheduled for launch with an estimated resolution better than three meters.

While moving to one-meter resolution is an advancement, it still places Iran behind leading U.S. commercial companies offering thirty-centimeter imagery capable of distinguishing smaller items. Furthermore, Iran must successfully place and establish all planned satellites in orbit as a functional constellation for the program to claim success.