Iran launches 'space' rocket

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On Monday, Iran opened its first major space center and launched a research rocket to commemorate the event. And these were just the latest stages in the space program this country has been preparing for a long time despite the international community’s fear that Iran is in fact developing military ballistic missiles.

Iranian state television broadcasted live images of the event, showing the country’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad issuing the launch order.

Iran has started to develop a long time ago its space program, which, however, concerned the entire world, taking into account that the technology used to put satellites into space can be also used to deliver warheads. Thus, the country’s space program, as well as this recent event weren’t viewed with a friendly eye by the other countries and especially by the United States.

"It is just another troubling development," said Sean McCormack, a State Department spokesman. "And, of course, the U.N. Security Council and other members of the international system have expressed their deep concern about Iran's continuing development of medium- and long-range ballistic missiles," McCormack added.

However, Iranian officials stated that they had been developing a Shahab-4 missile to launch a satellite into space, in order to monitor natural disasters and improve its telecommunications. The Shahab-3, another powerful ballistic missile created by Iran, is said to have a range of at least 800 miles, which puts Israel, as well as much of the Middle East in range

Many fear program may be cover to more fully develop military missiles
By Ali Akbar Dareini
updated 3:09 p.m. ET Feb. 4, 2008
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22995937/

TEHRAN, Iran - Iran launched a research rocket and unveiled its first major space center, state television reported Monday, the latest steps in a program many fear may be cover to more fully develop its military ballistic missiles.

State television showed live images of the event from the space center, with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad issuing the launch order in the latest step towards Iran's long declared goal of developing a space program.

"The first Iranian rocket Explorer-1 was fired into space," state-run television reported Monday, without specifying the exact altitude. "With the launch, Iran has joined the world's top 11 countries possessing space technology to build satellites and launch rockets into space."

	Quote:
	Iran has launched their first test rocket that is able to carry a satellite, and in doing so they have become the world’s 11th space nation.

Iran has earlier voiced its wish to join other nations that have been sending their satellites in orbit for years. They now claim that they have launched a test rocket that is capable of carrying a satellite.

Iranian television has shown the base of the rocket that they have called Explorer-1, and it was launched after president Ahmadinedzad gave his permission.

- It is perfect – they said with delight in the control room after launch.

It was confirmed that the rocket reached a height of 62.5 miles from Earth, reports the Guardian.

- We must actively participate in space missions. Launching a rocket is a very important factor – said the president.

- It is unpleasant that Iran keeps on testing ballistic missiles. This regime keeps taking steps that will isolate it, together with its people, from the international community – said the spokesperson of the White House, Gordon Johndroe.

The rocket test is the first step to their planned satellite launch at the start of next year. This will be Iran’s first satellite in space. Scientists have been working on the satellite for ten years, and have called it Omid.

If the launch is successful, Iran will become the 11th nation that has their own satellite in orbit since the Soviet Union sent their first satellite into space in 1957.

Iran insists that Omid will be used to advance their telephone and television links, i.e., their signals. The satellite should also monitor weather catastrophes. Some analysts consider that the satellite offers the Islamic regime the ability to launch ballistic rockets.

Bhavini Rama, an official at the centre for defence and national security, has stated that Teheran has not given enough information about the intent of the satellite.

- There is a possibility that Omid will be used for surveillance by intelligence agencies – said Bhavini.

This is a great step for Iran, but a lot of time must pass before they will be able to compete with great powers like the USA or Russia.

Iran's Response

Iran has announced that the launch of the Explorer-1 rocket serves only for scientific research, and has rejected all of the USA’s doubts.

The spokesperson of the Iranian government, Gholam-Hossein Elham said that the Iranian technological achievement should not cause concern.

- Scientific and technological research is our legal and moral right – said Elham.

This is a great step for Iran, but a lot of time will need to pass before our space achievements can be compared to those of the superpowers Russia and the USA

Determination is the key.

Congratulations to Iran!

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"When some blessings come to you, do not drive them away through thanklessness."(Imam Ali a.s.)

THAAAAT IIIIS SSS SOOOOOO COOOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

Congratulations!

Well done Iran.

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GOOD JOB

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i guess they are trying to obtain uranium from the aliens. Laughing

	aewaqas wrote:
	i guess they are trying to obtain uranium from the aliens.

They shouldnt enrich uranium for atom bomb.That will be the worst scenario for world.
they should use rocket for satellites .

trueindia wrote:

	aewaqas wrote:
	i guess they are trying to obtain uranium from the aliens.

They shouldnt enrich uranium for atom bomb.That will be the worst scenario for world.
they should use rocket for satellites .

They have to make Nuclear assets for your big ally Israel.

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I do believe on Ghosts.

trueindia wrote:

	aewaqas wrote:
	i guess they are trying to obtain uranium from the aliens.

They shouldnt enrich uranium for atom bomb.That will be the worst scenario for world.
they should use rocket for satellites .

Pakistan supported them to enrich uranium to some extent as the news say, and I am very happy that Pakistan helped Iran doing that. Iran can be another power in Islamic countries, I fully support their nuclear program atleast we will get rid of Israel's violation very soon

Iran should become a nuclear power. I totally support them on that!!!

Moreover it will help Islamic world to put pressure on international community, especially america and Israel to surrender Palestine or otherwise face death and pain that palestinians have been facing for a century

I forgot to mention something, saudia arab should also be equipped with nuclear weapons, probably next step is to empower them with nukes Wink

great move by Iran Smile

Congrats To Iran

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Well good for Iran