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Arthur T Knackerbracket has found the following story:
Iran said Sunday that two newly constructed satellites have passed pre-launch tests and will be transported to the nation's space center for eventual launch, without elaborating.
Telecommunications Minister Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi tweeted about the development, calling it an "important research step."
Iran has not said when it will launch the satellites, but often coordinates its launches with national holidays. It will celebrate the 41st anniversary of the Islamic Revolution next month.
Iran's largely state-run media say the 90-kilogram (200-pound) Zafar satellites each have four high-resolution color cameras and will monitor and transmit data on natural resources as well as agricultural and environmental developments.
[...] Iran has sent several satellites into orbit over the past decade, and in 2013 it launched a monkey into space.
(Score: 4, Insightful) by All Your Lawn Are Belong To Us on Tuesday January 21 2020, @09:17PM
As others pointed out, perhaps they want elements of their communications to have speed of satellite without passing through relays which the NSA has had ample time to compromise by design and/or secret subpoena.
More to the point, it places pressure upon the United States. Just as with Sputnik and other launches that were 'civilian' in nature, it sends a message: That which can be orbited can be deorbited anywhere in the world. And next time instead of a communications satellite it might just be a nuke.
This sig for rent.