A research institute overseen by the Iranian Space Agency (ISA), which develops space launch vehicle technologies similar to those used in ballistic missiles.

Established by Iran's Ministry of Research, Science, and Technology; reportedly has been overseen by the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL); became affiliated with the ISA in 2000.

Involved in the design, production, and launch of sounding rockets (payload, rocket motors, and separation systems); managed the Kavoshgar project, which launched the Safir space launch vehicle, the first stage of which is based on the Shahab-3 medium-range ballistic missile; has carried out research and analysis of booster rockets, re-entry vehicles, rocket engines, and payloads.

A research and educational institution offering postgraduate training in aerospace strategy and engineering; educates students in the design, manufacture, and integration of space systems, including satellite communication systems, remote-sensing technology, and scientific payloads; in 2004, reportedly hosted "Space and National Security for Sustainable Security" conference, held by MODAFL in cooperation with the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology.

Manages a number of departments; the Department of Aeronautical Science and Technology researches aerodynamics, aerospace propulsion, flight simulation, aircraft equipment and subsystems, and design of flight vehicles; the Department of Aeronautical Science and Technology conducts research on celestial and orbital mechanics, trajectory simulation, space structures, and the design of space vehicles, micro satellites and sounding rockets; the Department of Aerospace Standards, Law and Management identifies and categorizes standards related to satellites, launch vehicles, and related ground and space equipment.

Reportedly has 148 faculty and 48 executives and support staff; established in 1999.

Sanctions

Added on September 3, 2019 to the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list maintained by the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), freezing its assets under U.S. jurisdiction and prohibiting transactions with U.S. parties, pursuant to Executive Order 13382, which targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems; foreign parties facilitating transactions for the entity or otherwise assisting the entity are subject to U.S. sanctions; also subject to the Iranian Financial Sanctions Regulations; foreign financial institutions facilitating transactions for the entity may be prohibited from opening or maintaining correspondent or payable-through accounts in the United States.