Iran sends satellite into space
2008-08-17 17:54
Tehran - Iran said on Sunday it had
launched its first domestically made satellite into space, the
official IRNA news agency reported.
"Iran's Omid (hope) satellite was launched on Sunday using
the Safir (ambassador) satellite-carrier rocket," IRNA said,
quoting a statement from Iran's armed forces.
Iran, embroiled in a stand-off with the West over Tehran's
disputed nuclear ambitions, caused international concern in
February by testing the rocket designed to carry the satellite.
The West accuses Iran of trying to obtain nuclear arms under
cover of a civilian programme. Tehran insists it needs nuclear
technology to generate electricity.
President read out countdown
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad read out the launch countdown,
said an official.
"The President attended Iran's Space Centre and ordered the
launch ... He congratulated the Iranian nation on the great
achievement," the semi-official Fars news agency quoted
government spokesperson Gholamhossein Elham as saying.
The technology used to put satellites into space can also be
used for launching weapons, but Iran says it has no plans to do
so.
Iran, which refuses to recognise Israel, has missiles that
can reach 2 500km, meaning it could hit Israel
and US military bases in the Gulf.