on
Space
Science and Technology Applications
Committee
of the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS)
of the
Office
for Outer Space Affairs (OOSA)
October 2003
For well-managing the country and using its sources
and potentials for improvement and sustainable development of the Islamic
Republic of Iran the authorities pay great attention to the use of the variety
of efficient, modern and economic tools to support their plans for the above
mentioned purposes.
It has been realized since very earlier that the
space technology applications play an important role in promotion of the
sustainable development of the country. Nearly
a decade earlier the Islamic Republic of Iran has begun to accelerate its
efforts and is taking steps towards the peaceful application of space
technologies to benefit from extensive, wide and promising advantages of space
in its on-going long-term and short-term development plans. Presently telecommunications,
TV broadcasting, remote sensing, navigation, tele-education, weather
forecasting, Internet and so on are common applications of space technology
that have been well spread in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
1)
Application of space
science and technology as the effective and powerful tool for the sustainable
development of the country;
2)
Commercialization of
space applications such as broadcasting, Earth observations, environmental
change observations, climate prediction, survey and mapping, etc.;
3)
Human resource
development for implementation of space development in the future;
4)
Acquisition and
mastery of space science and technology directed to support the development of
space applications and industrial activities;
5)
Encouragement of
space activities in the private sector in order to familiarize the public with
space activities and integrate them into daily life;
6)
Promotion of space
science and technology among the Iranian youth that will play a key role in the
future of the country;
7)
Establishment of a
space information system at the national level;
8)
Promotion of
international cooperation based on principles of mutual benefits and
reciprocity.
INISTITUTIONALIZATION
OF SPACE ACTIVITIES IN I. R. IRAN
The Iranian Space Agency (ISA) when established
will cover and support all the activities in the Islamic Republic of Iran
concerning the peaceful applications of space science and technology. According
to the Bill of the establishment of the Iranian Space Agency, “Aiming to apply
space technology and peaceful uses of outer space, and protecting national interests
and sustained exploitation of space science and technology for economic,
cultural, scientific and technical development of the country, the Space
Supreme Council with the leadership of the President is being established. The
Council’s goals include,
I.
Policy making for the
application of space technologies aiming peaceful uses of outer space
II.
Policy making in
manufacturing, launching and use of the national and research satellites
III.
Approving the space
related programs of state and private institutions and organizations
IV.
Approving long and
short-term programs of country’s space sector
V.
Promoting the
partnership of the private and cooperative sectors in efficient uses of space
VI.
Identifying
guidelines concerning the regional and international cooperation in space
issues and clarifying the position of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the
above-mentioned bodies”
The secretariat of Space Supreme Council will be
based in the Iranian Space Agency (ISA) and the Director of ISA will act as the
secretary of Space Supreme Council.
There are various institutes
and agencies in the Islamic Republic of Iran that are currently carrying out
space activities according to their functions and areas of interest. To build capacity required to develop and extend
its activities in different areas of peaceful uses of space, including
satellite communications, resource investigation and satellite-based
positioning system, satellite meteorology and natural disaster monitoring,
space science and technology the Islamic Republic of Iran is currently taking
required measures not only to provide required facilities, hardware and
software but also is extending its educational activities using both national
resources and through implementation of bilateral regional or international
cooperation projects.
Aiming to develop the
infrastructure for the application of space science and technologies in the
country, the Islamic Republic of Iran continues the work through providing the
possibilities for in-depth education in space science and technology
applications in the country. Presently a considerable number of courses on the
applications of space science and technology have been scheduled in the
education program of different universities throughout the country in
postgraduate level. These courses include satellite communications, remote
sensing and geo-information systems, satellite meteorology, atmospheric and
space studies, space engineering and so on. While the efforts in this
connection is being carried out continuously, the subject of establishing a
specialized center dedicated only to the in-depth and short as well as medium
term education of space science and technology applications based on the
approved international standards is being followed up in parallel. The Islamic
Republic of Iran supports the idea of establishing the Center for Space Science
and Technology Education of Iran as a node of the network of centers for space
science and technology education in the Asia-Pacific Region. As the first step,
the two bi-weekly courses on satellite communications and remote sensing, GIS
and SPS have been planned and hopefully will be active soon. In the meantime
the Islamic Republic of Iran is interested and ready to join the Board of the
Governors of the Center for Education of Space Science and Technology in
Asia-Pacific Region based in India.
To further their existing knowledge and being
updated in their own fields of interest, Iranian specialists are regularly
participating in short-term and long-term courses supported by UN-ESCAP and
UN-OOSA or offered by other regional or international bodies such as CSSTE,
ISNET and JICA. Attending different seminars, symposia, conferences and
workshops is playing an important role to promote existing expertise of Iranian
scientists.
Furthermore, the Islamic Republic of Iran earnestly
interested to host different seminars, workshops and symposia on the
applications of space science and technology. The United Nations and the
Islamic Republic of Iran Workshop on the Applications of Space Science and
Technology for Disaster Management focusing on Sustainable Development and
Environmental Protection is scheduled to be held in May 2004 in Tehran. Also On
9-15 October 2004 the Islamic Republic of Iran jointly with the Inter-Islamic
Network on Space Sciences and Technology (ISNET) will held the International
Seminar on Satellite Technology Applications in Communications and Remote
Sensing in Tehran.
The World Space Week ceremonies are being held
yearly from 4 to 10 October 2003. This occasion is very convenient for capacity
building for space science and technology applications in the Iranian community
and have had very well welcomed by the public and specialized people. Wide
attention of young generation to the World Space Week ceremonies and programs
is considerable. This year wide public, specialists and scientists attended the
ceremonies of the fourth World Space Week. There have been scheduled lots of
activities for celebrating this event including contests, seminars,
exhibitions, interviews, publications and media activities.
As a member of the
Asia-Pacific Committee on Multilateral Cooperation in Space Technology and
Applications, the Islamic Republic of Iran is one of the seven countries
besides Pakistan, China, Thailand, Mongolia, Republic of Korea and Bangladesh
who have agreed to participate in manufacturing and launching of a Small
Multi-Mission Satellite (SMMS). The project goes on with cooperation between main
partners, China, Thailand and the Islamic Republic of Iran.
In another attempt the
Ministry of Science, Research and Technology in cooperation with the Ministry
of P.T.T. fostering the educational and technological development take
fundamental steps towards space technology especially in the field of satellite
design and manufacturing. To meet this goal, a small research satellite project
entitled ”MESBAH” was defined for
design and development purpose as of a micro-satellite to be launched to a low
Earth Orbit (LEO). The main task of this project is to train Iranian
specialists and to support Iranian research centers and universities with
satellite manufacturing technologies. Objectives of this project includes (1)
designing and developing a micro-satellite in amateur radio frequency band to
be deployed to LEO with the aim of research, e-mail and store and forward data
communication, (2) scientific research works and training task to gain
experience and possibility on developing communication satellite system of
store and forward type.
Technological goals involved
in these areas include hardware establishment, definition of steps required for
space research, improvement of domestic industries for space activities, and
familiarization with remote sensing, earth observation and related
technologies.
Explorations in outer atmosphere are another basic activity of space related sciences within the country. In this regard, a variety of sounding rockets of low, medium and high altitude capability have planned to be developed. Ionosphere studies, upper atmospheric winds, micro-gravity, atmospheric composition, and atmospheric structure (pressure, density, etc.) are selected topics for further investigation and to meet objectives, which was defined above.
In this respect, the Islamic
Republic of Iran’s industries have also been encouraged to implement
technological development plans for aerospace related technologies and
subsystems which can be applied to space systems as well.
The Aerospace
Research Institute (ARI) affiliated to the Ministry
of Science, Research and Technology is another active organization in the space
science and technology applications that follows different space related
studies and activities in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Aerodynamic
group of ARI concentrates presently on the aerodynamic design and analysis of
launch vehicles. The group is capable of estimating the aerodynamic
coefficients and determination of flow pattern around launch vehicles with
various levels of accuracy required in different phases of design process.
Planning and conducting wind tunnel tests for validation of analytical and
numerical results is also among the capabilities of the group. The Sounding
Rocket Group works on sub-orbital rockets called sounding rocket and their
payloads. It has carried out several study programs in the field of sounding
rocket’s capabilities and applications, their payload and the experiment
conducted by them and other related subject. The group is capable of planning
sounding rocket experiments, as well as selecting and/or designing the required
payload and equipment.
Due to the effects of the humankind’s aerospace activities on the environmental health of the Earth, the subject of the space debris in recent decade emerges as serious threatening problem for the survival of orbiting spacecrafts, space platforms and the astronauts operating space walks in the near-earth orbits. In this regard the orbital debris team of ARI as a part of Space Standards and Law research group is working on a variety of subjects as categorization, characteristics, tracking and laws of orbital debris. Mathematical simulation and collision probability functions and hazard analysis are the prospective topics of the group’s studies.
The Galactic Dynamics and Celestial Mechanics Group
as a part of space Science and Technology Group prepare the dynamic model of
galaxies and models quantitatively and qualitatively. The data and solutions
then compared with observational information for validation purpose.
The background of the
involvement of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the area of application of space
remote sensing techniques, and utilization of data acquired by earth
observation satellites in the country, goes back to the launch of first
commercial earth observing satellites (Landsat series).
Nowadays the earth resources
monitoring and management agencies not only are using almost any available data
taken by various earth resources satellites, but also equipped with the most
advanced facilities available for analysis and their respective integration
through the use of geographic information systems.
Main agencies involved in
earth resources remote sensing activities include the Iranian Remote Sensing
Center (which is national coordinating body for Earth observation activities in
the Islamic Republic of Iran), Geological and Mineral Research Survey of Iran
affiliated to the Ministry of Mines and Metals, Forest and Range Organization,
Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Research Center, Ministry of Jihad
of Agriculture, Iranian National Center for Oceanography, Ministry of Energy,
Ministry of Petroleum, and Ministry of Science, Research and Technology.
To expand its capabilities
and making it compatible with increasing demand to newly acquired remotely
sensed data from space, the Iranian Remote Sensing Center of Iran had committed
to establish a Multi-Mission Remote Sensing Ground Station of having both S and
X band frequencies capable of receiving data acquired by existing and future
satellites. In this connection, the receiving station for data acquisition from
TERRA’s medium resolution MODIS sensor was put in service early in October 2001
in IRSC. Since September 2002 the station was made capable of receiving from
Indian IRS satellite. Furthermore, IRSC actively proceeds to implement
different application and research projects on remote sensing and GIS.
In addition to the activities
mentioned above, the National Cartographic Center (NCC), a national body
responsible for topographic base maps and data productions, is using Global
Positioning System (GPS) basically designed for navigation purposes for the
projects including Triangulation Networking and National Leveling Project and
its subsequent linkage with regional and international GPS networks, National
1:25000 scale Topographic Mapping Project, Geodesic Surveying projects,
Accurate Leveling projects, Determination of Geoid of Iran.
Besides to NCC, National
Geographical Organization of Iran is also enjoying invaluable archives of
various satellite imagery, which has enabled it to offer technical services to
other administrative bodies of the country.
The telecommunication network in Iran is
essentially based on a microwave backbone with reasonable coverage in the
well-populated provinces. In general, there are three communications networks in Iran with more than 1000
ground stations providing voice and data services to the users. The number of fixed communication lines
from 10,000,000 in year 2000 will grow to 12,000,000 in 2003. This means that 1 of 5 the Iranian
population will own a phone line thanks to the availability of space communication
technology in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
There are about 300.000 cellular mobile phone subscribers with a capacity of
12,000 ports in the data network and more than 75,000 public payphones
throughout the country. International communications is mainly handled through
the Intelsat and Inmarsat satellite networks by more than 3,500 channels via
three international gateway earth stations.
The
national Domsat system was put in work in 1990 by implementing phase 1 that
consisted of 7 hubs and 61 terminals configured in 7 star sub-networks. The
technology employed therein was SCPC/QPSK/FDMA through transponders of the
Ku-band East spot of Intelsat 630 E satellite. The
earth segment was later augmented by the installation of two star networks
comprising two hubs and 900 VSAT terminals accessing the same satellite by the
TDMA technique. In addition, a separate nationwide network consisting of two
hubs and some 1,700 VSATs owned and operated by the Central Bank of Iran is now
in service.
Recently, a tender has been issued by the
Telecommunication Company of Iran (TCI) for the acquisition of 9 gateway hubs
and 300 DAMA earth stations using the TDMA access technique, all in the 14/11
GHz band.
This
expansion is intended for use to improve rural and remote area communications
and also to satisfy the need for applications such as data transfer,
multi-point-to-point, point-to–point, short term and emergency communication
services and Internet links. It is believed that satellite communications is
suitable solution for the rural points that are far from terrestrial links or
facing barriers or technical problems. In this regard TCI is planning to
provide communication service for 2000 rural points and 500 private users with
satellite communications systems in near future.
In
addition, TCI is considering the plans to provide telemedicine and
tele-education services for the points that are not in fast access to the
central hospitals and universities.
During
the last year TCI has also announced a tender for the construction and launch
of two Ku-band GSO satellites to be placed 340 E and
470 E. The satellites are named ‘Zohreh’ and are intended to take
over the domestic traffic presently handled by the Intelsat satellite.
Iran has one Inmarsat Coast Earth Station near
Tehran that provides services to a fleet of ship and land portable terminals of
standard A and C. In addition, TCI has signed an agreement with the ICO
organization, an offspring of Inmarsat, to invest and provide mobile satellite
service in the region. Furthermore, studies are going on to investigate the
possibilities of joining various big LEO systems such as Globalstar and future
GMPCS networks.
The
Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting Organization (IRIB) has implemented many
expansion projects making effective of three 72 MHz Ku-band transponders on the
630 E Intelsat satellite. Four national TV channels are now
broadcasted nationwide making use of 2,600 TVRO terminals, thus rendering
almost complete national TV coverage.
Also,
IRIB has recently launched a Ku-band TV broadcast over Europe and the Middle
East via the Eutelsat satellite. In addition, IRIB owns two C-band earth
stations relaying news items to Asiavision and also internationally through
Intelsat. Two transportable earth stations are also available for SNG
transmission from any point around the country and neighboring countries.
IRIB
owns 31 VSAT earth stations for its private communication purposes. Also, IRIB
is now making extensive studies for the transformation from analog sound and
television to digital transmission via satellite.
IRIB has already been using
different facilities in order to broadcast and receive internal and external
programs. These activities include the use of INTELSAT, EUTELSAT HOTBIRD-3 and
TELESTAR-5 through the utilization of 4 fixed stations and 3 Portable SNGs.
III)
SATELLITE METEOROLOGY AND NATURAL DISASTER MONITORINS
The weather satellite
receiving system PC/SAT for Meteosat SDUS and PDUS and NOAA APT has been
installed at the Islamic Republic of Iran Meteorological Organization (IRIMO)
headquarters early 1992. The major highlight in operational changes is that
IRIMO expanded the receiving station by HRPT and MDD units by 1998.
Data taken by meteorological
satellites are used by IRIMO’s forecasting center not only for weather
forecasting purposes but also for atmospheric disaster mitigation objectives.
NOAA receiving facilities is
also installed in the Iranian National Oceanographic Center and the Iranian
Remote Sensing Center as well. While AVHRR data received by the IRSC’s
acquisition system are used for earth resources monitoring and studies as well
as dissemination of the results and documents in public domain, data received
by two other specialized agencies are used for their own studies and research
projects.
In addition to atmospheric
disasters, the National Committee on Natural Disaster Mitigation within the
framework of a joint research project is using the space-based positioning
systems to monitor plate movements along major active faults in Khorasan
Province (North Eastern Iran) and Tehran Region having historical and recent
earthquake records and reactivation potentials. This project is carrying out
through a trilateral joint endeavor including the Geological and Mineral
Exploration Survey of Iran and the NCC.
Aiming to present its
willingness for worldwide and regional collaboration and to fulfill its
obligations to the international and regional bodies, the Islamic Republic of
Iran not only acts as the member of several international agencies (such as
COSPAR, ISPRS, AARS, ITU, WMO, FAO and other UN affiliated bodies and programs)
but also has a very close cooperation with RESAP of ESCAP. In addition, the
Islamic Republic of Iran is an active member of the Asia-Pacific Committee on
Multilateral Cooperation in Space Technology and Application (AP-MCSTA) and
many other regional and international societies, institutions and projects. In
the international level the Islamic Republic of Iran has achieved good success
recently especially in cooperating with the United Nations Office for Outer
Space Affairs. These achievements include the membership in the Bureau of the
officers of COPUOS and active position in the Implementation of Recommendations
of UNISPACE-III.
I) MEMBERSHIP IN THE
BUREAU OF THE OFFICERS OF COPUOS
Based on the agreements on the composition of the
bureau of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and its Scientific
and Technical, and Legal Subcommittees, the Islamic Republic of Iran will take
the position of the Second Vice-Chairman/ Rapporteur of the Committee on the
Peaceful Uses of Outer Space for 2004 and 2005.
II) IMPLEMENTAION OF THE
RECOMMENDATIONS OF UNISPACE-III
Space technology emerges as a vital and important
tool for the development in the national and international levels. It has led
to advances in various fields of our activities, from management and control of
natural disasters to navigation and from monitoring of the natural recourses
and the environment to tele-health and tele-education. In light of the
UNISPACE-III that identified all these possibilities and the potential of space
science and technology, the nations have had the opportunity to work together
for the implementation of its aims. It is believed that the recommendations of
UNISPACE-III can lead to achieve objectives provided by the United Nations and
support major initiatives being undertaken to promote human development. In
this direction, the Islamic Republic of Iran participates in the action teams activities
as the member and particularly co-chairs the Action Team number 1 of the
recommendations of UNISPACE-III “Develop a comprehensive world-wide
environmental monitoring Strategy” jointly with the Republic of Syria and
Russian Federation. The team follows its aims and tasks orderly and will
organize its sixth meeting in the margins of 41st Scientific and
Technical Subcommittee of COPUOS Meeting that will be held on 16-27 February
2004 in Vienna. The team is going to submit its draft report to the Scientific
and Technical Subcommittee of COPUOS by the end of November 2003.
In addition to action team number 1 of the
Recommendations of UNISPACE-III, the Islamic Republic of Iran is the member of
the action teams number 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 14 and 18 of the Recommendations
of UNISPACE-III.