Today, 3rd of February happens to be the national day of Space Technology in the Iranian calendar. This day was named after the successful launch of Iran’s first Satellite, which was placed in orbit in February 2009, and was described as a “data-processing” satellite for “research and telecommunications”. After this big event, developing different aspects of the space industry and self-reliance in this field were included in the general policies of the country. Since then, every year on this day all the experts in this field gather in order to envision new aspects of the roles of space technology and its multiple applications.
Space Technology’s Applications
Today space science and technology are considered as having great impacts on improving economic status, and the growth of many sectors including the transportation system, banking, communication and internet service, health, agriculture and energy. Therefore, most countries are planning to exploit the tools of this technology in their benefit. In Iran the ISA, Iran Space Agency, was established on February 2004 to handle and support all the activities in Iran concerning the peaceful applications of space science and technology, under the leadership of the Supreme Council of Space chaired by Iran’s President. Deputy Director of Iran Space Technology, Mojtaba Saradeghi, spoke with Mehr News about the country’s plans for this field’s development.
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Space Technology Should Be Far More Used in the Country
Saradeghi explained that currently a very small portion of this technology’s applications are being used in Iran compared to other countries. “The applications of space technologies is so broad that it can play a huge role in the everyday matters of the people, if it was available at their disposal.” He then mentioned some of the few applications that are currently being used. “The location system, GPS (Global Positioning System) which is being used by most people through a number of mobile applications is one of the examples. It’s also used in matters such as increasing the fertility of the agricultural grounds, finding where fishes gather for fisheries, and even forecasting natural disasters like earthquakes and floods.
Localizing Is Crucial
He then emphasized that all applications of space technology must be available to the people, through localizing this technology. That way, we will face no limitations in offering services, and data will be received much faster. He then added that some of these applications are more or less available, however in the case of culturalizing and more demands from the society and government to space agencies and organizations, this technology’s impacts will be felt far more by the people.
Startups to Be Involved
In the end, Saradeghi mentioned that: “space technology should become an everyday need in the lives of the people, and in order to reach this point, startups can enter the arena. As a result, this year in the national day of space technology, the agency is going to identify and support startup ideas in this field.” He then exemplified google which is making millions of dollars every day by taking satellite photos. He believes that considering the knowledge of the country’s experts and university elites in space sciences and electricity this ability is not out of reach.
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