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Iran's mission to send astronaut into orbit sparks fears it wants to put weapons in space
Last updated at 15:29pm on 21.08.08
Iran has launched a mission to send its first astronaut into space within the decade.
The Islamic Republic plans to send a manned rocket into space in the next 10 years, state television said on Thursday, just days after announcing it had put a dummy satellite into orbit.
The Republic has long held the goal of developing a space program, generating unease among world leaders already concerned about its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
The Safir (ambassador) satellite-carrier rocket, which will carry Iran's Omid (hope) satellite, is seen before launch at Iran's space centre in Tehran on August 17
Embroiled in a standoff with the West over its nuclear ambitions, Iran said on Sunday it had put the dummy satellite into orbit on a home-grown rocket for the first time.
U.S. security officials said Tehran's attempted satellite launch was a failure that fell short of claimed successes, but an analyst said the test marked a technical advance for Iran.
The long-range ballistic technology used to put satellites into space can also be used for launching weapons.
Iran says it has no such intention.
The West accuses Iran of seeking to build a nuclear warhead, a charge Tehran denies, insisting its nuclear ambitions are aimed at generating electricity so it that it can export more of its massive oil and gas reserves.
Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (second right) looks at the Safir (ambassador) satellite-carrier rocket, which carried Iran's Omid (hope) satellite into space
"One of the aims of Iran's 10-year space programme is to send a manned rocket into space," state television quoted Reza Taghipour, the head of Iran's aerospace organisation, as saying.
"Within in the next six months to one year, the exact date of this mission will be determined," he added.
Taghipour said Iran would cooperate with Islamic countries in building a satellite that television said would be called, Besharat, meaning 'good news'. He also said Iran was working with Russia and other Asian states to launch another satellite.
U.S. officials said the vehicle which Iran said on Sunday had delivered a dummy satellite into space failed shortly after lift off and did not reach its intended position.
But Charles Vick, a senior analyst for GlobalSecurity.org research group, said Iran appeared to have succeeded in igniting the second stage of its booster rocket and gained data that will help it perfect its launch system.
Reader views (16)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
That rocket looks like it was made with Lego.
- Russ, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A.
Sending a "manned rocket." Would the man inside be dead or alive?
- Jim, Redmond, WA
On behalf of all men of goodwill, let me be the first to offer Mahmoud Ahmadinejad a free ride into outer space at any time of his choosing.
- Ben, Philadelphia USA
If the man to go is Ahmadinejad, and it is one way, I say we should help Iran move along as fast as possible.
- David Fehill, Lyndhurst USA
More likely Israel will put many Iranians into space.
- John Smith, Louisville, KY USA
look it says ACME ROCKET CO. where do they put the fuse.
- Charles V, usa
Q. what do you call an Iranian astronaut? A. A political prisoner!
- Michael, Jacksonville, FL
Send Ahmadinejad and USA will pay for the first half of the trip
- Robert Macomber, Las Vegas USA
Send Ahmadinejad!
- Jimbo, White Plains, NY
Great! A step in the right direction. Maybe we can send all the rest of these subhuman pieces of garbage with them, and all the other pigs of the world. Got a seat for Chavez, Castro, Sarandan, Sean Penn, et. al.? And all the other whacko libs who are doing their best to wreck this beautiful country?
- Gary, Annapolis, USA
Yep, I'm sure Iran has no intention of using their nuclear fuel cycle to develop warheads, and clearly no intention of using this research program to develop ballistic missiles. President Ahmadinejad has always been a trustworthy leader.
At my age, I'm a little ambivalent about how much to care about this bunch of liars and terrorists. In some ways, I think we should just go on swallowing all this bunk, and then see what the Europeans do when he plunks a missile down in Tel Aviv and ---- Munich. Let's let diplomacy work!
- Curmudgeon10, Manassas, USA
Will he be a dummy, too?
- Hughjimbissel, Caputa, South Dakotastan
Let it be Ahmadinejad please...one way ticket!
- Erik W, Phoenix, AZ
Looks like the flat-earthers are going to get the faked space travel they've always dreamed of.
Funny, though. I never knew you could Photoshop movies.
- Aelfheld, Weatherford, Texas
Let's hope it is their president that they send.
- Roy, Canada
So, the Iranians are going to send a man into space. I hope they choose Ahmadinejad.
- Chris, Morristown, NJ
