Iran claims satellite breakthrough
Iran’s first domestically made satellite has been successfully launched into orbit, the government announced today.
It brings another development in the country’s ambitious space programme that has worried many international observers.
The satellite called Omid, Farsi for “hope”, was launched yesterday after President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad gave the order to proceed, according to state radio.
State television also showed footage of what it said was the satellite blasting off in the darkness.
The reports could not be independently verified by outside observers. Some western observers have accused Tehran of exaggerating its space programme.
Iran’s space ambitions have generated unease among world leaders already concerned about its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. One worry is that the same technology used to put satellites into space can also be used to deliver warheads.
The satellite was taken into orbit by a Safir-2, or ambassador-2 rocket, which was first tested in August and has a range of 155 miles.
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 has said it wants to put its own satellites into orbit to monitor natural disasters and improve its telecommunications. Iranian officials also point to America’s use of satellites to monitor Afghanistan and Iraq and say they need similar abilities for their security.
Iran hopes to launch three more satellites by 2010, the government has said.
