Iran Reportedly Acquired Earth Imaging Satellite from China to Strike US Military Bases

As we know, space is important for scientific but also economic purposes, allowing the spread of various types of services (from internet communication to space telescopes and various probes). In recent years, interest in earth imaging has increased, collecting a wealth of useful data that can be used, for example, in agriculture, climate analysis, disaster relief, land prevention and analysis, and much more. Naturally, there is also interest from military (and surveillance and espionage agencies) around the world.

🚀 Liftoff at ~05:00 UTC on 06/06, GALACTIC-ENERGY's CERES-1 Y13 launched TEE-01B imaging satellite & two other nanosats to 545 km SSO from Jiuquan. This is also for the first time CERES-1's upper stage stays in orbit as an experimental platform. A mN electric thruster is onboard.
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— CNSPACE (@CNSpaceflight)
June 6, 2024

One of the latest examples relates to the recent war launched by Israel and the USA against Iran. According to a report by the Financial Times, Iran has reportedly purchased an earth observation satellite from China to obtain useful data for striking US bases. The relations between the two nations are well-known, and it is also known that China provides some of the defensive equipment. However, the possibility that the nation may have concluded an agreement for the acquisition of hardware, rather than just offering launch services, is new.

The satellite mentioned in the report is known as TEE-01B from EarthEye (also called Mumei Xingkong Keji). This solution uses an orbit at 545 km and can capture images with a resolution of 52 cm/pixel over a land strip of 14.8 km. The launch took place in early June 2024 aboard a Ceres-1 carrier and is now available to Iran for updated information on the movements of US strike systems in the area.

According to the report, as early as the end of 2024, the TEE-01B satellite will be utilized by the Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) using ground stations from Emposat (a Chinese company). Reports indicate that Iran captured images of sensitive US sites in the area in March, both before and after drone and missile attacks.

The IRGC reportedly collected images of the Prince Sultan Air Base between March 13 and 15, with a targeted attack that led to the destruction of US Air Force tanker aircraft, as confirmed by President Trump during those days. Other monitored sites include the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base (Jordan), the US Navy base in Manama (Bahrain), and the airport in Erbil (Iraq). Iran has also monitored civilian sites of strategic importance from space, such as manufacturing industries, power plants, and desalination facilities.

Formally, the TEE-01B satellite cannot be defined as a "spy satellite" since its official purpose would be land monitoring for civil purposes (agriculture, forest analysis, mining sector, etc.) and not military. However, the technology integrated into it allows for surveillance and potentially coordinating attacks against hostile sites.

Iranian-made earth imaging satellites had a resolution of 12 m/pixel (Noor-2) up to 5 m/pixel (Noor-3). The TEE-01B satellite is thus significantly more efficient, and Iran has been able to access it without investing directly in research and development but by purchasing it (spending 36.6 million dollars) from a strategic ally. The destruction by IDF of sites linked to the Iranian space agency has only partially reduced the Middle Eastern state's capabilities, and with support from China, direct or indirect, the losses have been mitigated while also enhancing the technological aspect.