Iranian rocket puts propulsion system and research payloads into 400km orbit, marking a breakthrough in the country’s space program
Iran announced on Friday (6) that it carried out a successful space launch, the latest in its program, which the West says improves Tehran’s ballistic missile program.
The launch was carried out with the Simorgh rocket, which is part of Iran’s satellite program, from the Imam Khomeini Space Center in rural Semnan province, the site of Iran’s civilian space program.
The Simorgh carried an “orbital propulsion system” plus two research systems to an orbit 400 km (250 miles) above Earth. This system could allow Iran to alter the orbit of a spacecraft, something Tehran has long wanted, to achieve geo-synchronous orbits for its satellites.
Iran also placed Simorgh’s payload at 300 kg (660 pounds), heavier than previous successful launches. There was no immediate independent confirmation of the launch’s success. The U.S. military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The announcement comes amid rising tensions in the Middle East due to Israel’s ongoing war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip and a shaky ceasefire in Lebanon.
The United States has already said that Iran’s satellite launches violate a UN Security Council resolution and called on Tehran not to carry out any activities involving ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons. UN sanctions related to Iran’s ballistic missile program expire in October 2023.
With information from SCMP*
Source: https://www.ocafezinho.com/2024/12/06/ira-realiza-lancamento-espacial-bem-sucedido-e-desafia-ocidente/
