Space Program Increases Nervousness Over Nukes

Iran is suspected of developing nuclear weapons and has conducted military exercises which look like dry runs for closing down access to the Persian Gulf through the Straits of Hormuz. Now, the Iranian government is backing up its chest-beating with news that it has been able to put an earth-observation satellite into orbit. The achievement demonstrates, among other things, the potential to deliver a nuclear warhead anywhere in the world.

According to a statement on Iran's official Farsi-language website, the spacecraft, launched Friday, is named "Promise of Science and Industry." The launch vehicle was reportedly a Safir 1-B rocket. The Christian Science Monitor reports Safir means "Ambassador" in Farsi.

The satellite is described as a cube about 20 inches on a side, and weighing 110 pounds. Its orbit will cross Iran about six times a day, and Iranian space officials say its mission will support researchers in studying Earth's weather systems and managing responses to natural disasters.

Iran had its first successful domestic satellite launch three years ago, and says it hopes to have a manned mission by 2020, and make a manned Moon landing by 2025.

FMI: www.isa.ir (Look for link near top of home page for English version)