Iran Launches First Home-grown Satellite

[unhappycamper]

Iran Launches First Home-grown Satellite
February 03, 2009
Associated Press

TEHRAN, Iran - Iran has launched its first domestically made satellite into orbit, the president said Tuesday, a step forward for a fledgling space program that has been watched with concern abroad.

Like its nuclear program, Iran's space ambitions worry world powers because the same rocket technology used to carry satellites to orbit can also deliver warheads.

For nearly a decade, Iran has expressed an intention to develop a national space program. As it seeks to expand its influence in the Middle East, Iran touts such technological successes as signs it can advance despite U.S. and U.N. sanctions against it over its nuclear program.

In a year in which hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad faces a tough election battle to stay in power, Monday night's satellite launch also gave him another symbol of national pride to hold up even as falling oil prices batter the economy and his popularity.

The telecommunications satellite, called Omid, or hope in Farsi, was launched late Monday after Ahmadinejad gave the order to proceed, according to a report on state radio. State television showed footage of what it said was the nighttime liftoff of the rocket carrying the satellite at an unidentified location in Iran.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/news/article/February-2009/iran-launches-first-homegrown-satellite.html

[MADem]

1. This is actually their second satellite.

It's the first one they've put up (ostensibly) by themselves, though. The Russkies tossed the last one up for them.

More footage here, along with prayers from the Dinner Jacket: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/feb/03/iran-satellite-launch-omid