The Aero Space Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has successfully launched homegrown imaging satellite Nour-3 into orbit on Wednesday.

Nour-3 (Light-3) was launched by satellite carrier Qased (Messenger) and was placed into an orbit 450 kilometers (280 miles) above the Earth’s surface.

“With the efforts of IRGC Aerospace Force specialists, a few moments ago, the Nour-3 imaging satellite was successfully placed into a 450 km orbit of the earth with the Iranian Qased satellite carrier,” Minister of Communications and Information Technology Issa Zarepour said via X, formerly known as Twitter.

“I congratulate all [Iranian] people, those active in the country’s space industry, and the IRGC’s space experts for this success. God willing, this year will be a fruitful year for the country’s space industry,” he added.

Last month, Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani announced that the country would launch at least two domestically-made satellites into orbit this year.

“We are involved in the development and launch of satellites. Under our plan, we will have 2 to 3 satellite launches this year, something we hope to be successful,” Ashtiani said on August 22.

Despite sanctions imposed by Western countries in recent years, Iran has managed to take giant strides in the civilian space program. 

It is among the world’s top 10 countries capable of developing and launching satellites.

Back in March last year, the IRGC Aerospace Force launched Nour-2 into orbit using the Qased satellite carrier, two years after it placed Nour-1 into orbit.