Iran launches first home-made satelliteReuters | Wednesday, 04 February 2009Iran has launched its first home-made satellite into orbit according to state television reports.The launch showing progress in space technology at a time of persistent international tension over its nuclear programme.
The Omid (Hope) satellite, launched as Iran marks the 30th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution this month, was designed for research and telecommunications, said the television, which carried footage of the launch.
The long-range ballistic technology used to put satellites into space can also be used for launching weapons, although Iran says it has no plans to do so.
"In another achievement for Iranian scientists under sanctions, Iran launched its first home-made Hope satellite into orbit," said the television.
It said the satellite was carried into orbit by the Iranian-made satellite carrier Safir.
"Omid will carry experimental satellite control devices, communications, digital equipment, power supply systems," the television said.
"It has been designed for gathering information and for testing equipment."
Iran is under UN sanctions because the United States and other Western powers suspect Tehran is amassing the capability to produce nuclear weapons.
Tehran says its nuclear ambitions are limited to the peaceful generation of electricity to meet the demands of its economy.
The state television broadcast said Omid would return to earth after orbiting for one to three months.
"It is going to bring back data with it. That data is going help Iranian experts send an operational satellite into space," said the television.
Iran already had a satellite in orbit but the Sina-1 was launched by a Russian rocket in 2005, it said.
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