http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/feb/03/iran-satellite-launch-omidIran today claimed it had broken into the global space race after launching the country's first homemade satellite into orbit, in a move that will intensify western fears over its missile capabilities.
State television showed footage of the Omid (Hope) satellite being sent into space in a launch clearly timed to mark the 30th anniversary celebrations of the 1979 Islamic revolution.
"In another achievement for Iranian scientists under sanctions, Iran launched its first homemade Omid satellite into orbit," an Iranian TV report said. "It was carried into orbit by Iran-made satellite carrier Safir."
The reports said the Omid was equipped with experimental satellite control devices and power supply systems and was designed for gathering information and testing equipment.
The Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, hailed the launch as a historic event aimed at "expanding monotheism, peace and justice". He said the satellite, which he claimed had telecommunications capabilities, had reached its orbit and had made contact with ground stations, although not all of its functions were active yet.
The launch could complicate conciliation efforts by the US president, Barack Obama, by highlighting concerns about Iran's nuclear programme, which the west fears is aimed at producing an atomic bomb.
While Tehran insists the satellite will enable it to improve phone and internet technology and to track natural disasters, western analysts have warned that it would create the capacity to launch intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Today's launch makes Iran the 11th country to put a satellite into orbit since the Soviet Union launched the first in 1957.
It comes almost exactly a year after Iran launched the Kavosh-I (Explorer-1), a rocket capable of carrying satellites into space. That event, which also marked the opening of an Iranian space centre at an undisclosed desert location, was condemned as "unfortunate" by the US.
It was followed by months of careful rehearsals for today's event, which included the launch of a dummy satellite last August and the firing of a second rocket, the Kavosh-2, into space in November.
Iranian scientists have been working on a space programme for at least a decade. Early efforts involved co-operation with Russia. In October 2005, a Russian rocket launched Iran's first satellite, the Sina-1, which carried photographic and telecommunications equipment.
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