Tehran says its satellite tv for pc launches are civilian in nature, however the West warns the expertise can be utilized for ballistic missiles.
Iran has launched a brand new analysis satellite tv for pc into orbit, state media reported, taking one other step ahead in its aerospace programme and defying criticism and objections from Western nations.
The first mission of the Chamran-1 analysis satellite tv for pc, which weighs 60 kg (132 kilos), “is to check {hardware} and software program programs to display orbital top and section maneuvering expertise,” state media stated Saturday after what it stated was a “profitable” launch.
“It was launched into orbit by the Ghaem-100 plane service,” the report stated, including that its first alerts had additionally been obtained.
The Ghaem-100 rocket, which carried the newest satellite tv for pc, is manufactured by the Aerospace Pressure of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The service is the nation’s first three-stage solid-fuel satellite tv for pc launcher, and state media reported utilizing it in January to ship a satellite tv for pc into an orbit above 500 kilometers (310 miles) for the primary time.
Western governments have repeatedly warned Iran in opposition to such launches, saying the identical expertise can be utilized for ballistic missiles, together with these designed to hold a nuclear warhead.
Iran maintains that it doesn’t search nuclear weapons and that its satellite tv for pc and rocket launches are just for civilian or defensive functions.
The launch comes as america and European nations accuse Iran of transferring ballistic missiles to Russia that may doubtless be utilized in its conflict with Ukraine. Iran has denied this.
“Peaceable” aerospace actions
Iran has made progress in its aerospace actions, claiming they’re peaceable and consistent with UN Safety Council resolutions, however has additionally suffered a number of setbacks, together with the explosion of a number of of its satellites throughout launch.
In January, Iranian media reported that the Sorayya satellite tv for pc had been launched right into a 750-kilometer (465-mile) orbit, the nation’s highest to this point.
In February, Russia launched an Iranian remote-sensing and imaging satellite tv for pc into orbit, prompting condemnation from america.
On the time, Iran’s telecommunications minister stated Iran had carried out a dozen satellite tv for pc launches within the earlier two years.
Iran has confronted crippling Western sanctions for years, particularly after america, underneath then-President Donald Trump, unilaterally deserted a landmark nuclear deal between Tehran and main powers in 2018.
