Iran opens space center, launches rocket


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Date: 04 Feb 2008 09:22:15 PM
Object: Iran opens space center, launches rocket
Iran opens space center, launches rocket
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080204/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iran_space;_ylt=Am0ATCojTILGsN42dPGEXJsLewgF
By ALI AKBAR DAREINI, Associated Press Writer
Mon Feb 4, 3:20 PM ET
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 for further development of its military
ballistic missiles.
State television showed live images of the event, with President
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad issuing the launch order.
Iran has long declared a goal of developing a space program, but the
same technology used to put satellites in space can also be used to
deliver warheads. The country's space program, like its nuclear power
program, has provoked unease abroad.
"It is just another troubling development," State Department spokesman
Sean McCormack said. "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."
Iranian officials have said they are developing a Shahab-4 missile to
launch a satellite. Iran's powerful ballistic missile, the Shahab-3,
is believed to have a range of at least 800 miles, putting Israel and
much of the Middle East in range. In November, Iran said it had
manufactured a new missile, the Ashoura, with a range of 1,200 miles.
White House press secretary Dana Perino said, "It's unfortunate they
continue to do that (missile development) because it further isolates
the country from the rest of the world."
Iran, which also unveiled its first domestically built satellite
Monday, says it wants to put its own satellites into orbit to monitor
natural disasters in the earthquake-prone nation 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.
Despite concern over Iran's space program, it is not clear how far
along it is, or whether the latest launch actually reached the
internationally agreed-upon beginning of "space," set at 60 miles
above the earth.
Analysts have expressed doubts about certain technological
achievements announced by Iran in the past. The country launched its
first domestically built rocket last February, which soared to the
edge of space but did not reach orbit level.
On Monday, state-run television did not specify the altitude when
announcing the launch. "With the launch, Iran has joined the world's
top 11 countries possessing space technology to build satellites and
launch rockets into space," it announced.
The lowest flying satellites, ham radio satellites, orbit between
100-300 miles up, while communication, weather and global-positioning
satellites fly between 250-12,000 miles up.
Before the launch, Ahmadinejad opened Iran's first major space center,
which includes a space launch pad and underground control station.
"We need to have an active and influential presence in space," he
said.
The official news agency IRNA reported that the new domestically built
satellite -- called Omid, or Hope -- would be launched into orbit
sometime in the next 12 months.
In 2005, the government said it had allocated $500 million for space
projects in the next five years. That year, Iran launched its first
commercial satellite into orbit from 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.
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