Iran Sets Sights on Lunar Exploration with New Rover Project
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran's Space Agency has launched its first major lunar rover project, signaling a strategic move to tap into the Moon's resources and join the ranks of other spacefaring nations.
In an exclusive interview with the Tasnim News Agency, Hassan Salarieh, the head of the Iranian Space Agency, shared details about the project.
The discussion covered various topics, including the current status of Iran's satellites in orbit, ongoing satellite construction, advancements in the space industry based on strategic documents, Iran’s ready-to-launch satellites, the Chabahar space base, the bio-space project, and plans for human spaceflight.
Addressing a question about Iran's involvement in planetary exploration amidst the extensive activities of countries like China and India, Salarieh said, "It's absolutely correct. We should not limit our focus to Earth's orbit and nearby satellites. A new realm in space has opened up globally, becoming more accessible and increasingly within reach."
He highlighted that the predictions about space exploration are now precise and achievable, leading many space agencies and companies to set clear timelines for exploiting resources on the Moon, Mars, and even asteroids. "What once was merely speculative is now backed by multi-billion-dollar investments aimed at multi-trillion-dollar returns," he said.
Salarieh emphasized that Iran must also embark on this path. However, he noted that such endeavors are costly and typically carried out through consortia and international cooperation.
Salarieh pointed out that it is challenging and expensive for a single country to achieve significant goals in space exploration. Hence, many countries have advanced their lunar projects through collaborations. "For Iran to join these consortia, we need to bolster our technical and financial foundations," he said.
He added that Iran has already initiated several diverse space projects, including developing orbital transfer blocks and bio-capsules.
"In 2023, a bio-capsule was launched, and contracts for higher-mass, more capable capsules have been signed. These projects are in the design phase but still require investment for completion."
Discussing lunar programs, Salarieh mentioned ongoing collaborations with universities to enhance technical capabilities and economically participate in international consortia.
"Countries engaging in such endeavors expect their partners to contribute technical and financial resources," he explained.
He expressed optimism about the 14th administration's plans to develop the space industry. "Neglecting or delaying in this area could cost us our position in exploiting valuable space resources, potentially leading to irreversible losses in the future," Salarieh warned.