Iran launches rocket into space
Iran blasted off a research rocket and unveiled its first major space centre that will be used to launch research satellites, it was reported today.
The rocket, which is capable of carrying a satellite, was the first launched by Iran into space, but analysts have expressed doubts about similar technological achievements announced by the country in the past.
Iran launched its first domestically-built rocket last February, which soared to the edge of space but did not reach orbit level.
State-run television reported today: “The first Iranian rocket Explorer-1 was fired into space.”
Space is considered to begin at 60 miles above the earth.
Ham radio satellites – the lowest-flying satellites – orbit between 100-300 miles, while communication, weather and global-positioning satellites fly between 250-12,000 miles up.
Today’s report did not specify the altitude reached by the research rocket, but state TV showed live images of the launch from the space centre, with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad issuing the launch order.
Some Western experts have raised the possibility that Iran’s space programme may be a cover to develop its military ballistic missiles, a prospect many find troubling at a time when the US and others fear Tehran is trying to develop nuclear weapons – a claim Iran denies.
The television station said: “With the launch, Iran has joined the world’s top 11 countries possessing space technology to build satellites and launch rockets into space.”
Before the launch, Mr Ahmadinejad opened Iran’s first major space centre, which includes an underground control station and space launch pad, according to state TV.
“We need to have an active and influential presence in space,” Mr Ahmadinejad said at the inauguration ceremony.
Mr Ahmadinejad also unveiled the country’s first domestically-built satellite, called Omid, or Hope.
State TV said the satellite took 10 years to build, and the official news agency IRNA reported that it would be launched into orbit some time in the next 12 months.
“The research rocket is part of preparations for the launch of a satellite into orbit,” said IRNA.
In 2005, Iran launched its first commercial satellite on a Russian rocket, in a joint project with Moscow, which appears to be the main partner in transferring space technology to Iran.
Iran hopes to launch four more satellites by 2010, the government has said, to increase the number of land and mobile telephone lines to 80 million from 22 million.
It also hopes to expand its satellite capabilities to increase internet users to 35 million from 5.5 million.
