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 in advancing its aerospace programme whereas defying criticism and objections from Western nations.
The first mission of the Chamran-1 analysis satellite tv for pc, which weighs 60kg (132 kilos), “is to check {hardware} and software program methods for demonstrating orbital manoeuvring expertise in peak and section”, state media mentioned on Saturday following what it mentioned was a “profitable” launch.
“It was put into orbit by the Ghaem-100 service,” the report mentioned, including that its first alerts have additionally been obtained.
The Ghaem-100 rocket, which carried the newest satellite tv for pc, is manufactured by the Aerospace Power of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The service is the nation’s first three-stage, solid-fuel satellite tv for pc launcher, and official media reported its use in January to ship a satellite tv for pc for the primary time into an orbit above 500km (310 miles).
Western governments have repeatedly warned Iran towards such launches, saying the identical expertise can be utilized for ballistic missiles, together with ones designed to ship a nuclear warhead.
Iran maintains that it isn’t looking for nuclear weapons and that its satellite tv for pc and rocket launches are for civilian or defence functions solely.
The launch comes as the US and European nations accuse Iran of transferring ballistic missiles to Russia that may be possible utilized in its battle with Ukraine. Iran has denied this.
‘Peaceable’ aerospace actions
Iran has been advancing its aerospace actions, insisting they’re peaceable and in accordance with United Nations Safety Council resolutions. Nevertheless it has additionally confronted a number of setbacks with a number of of its satellites exploding throughout launch.
In January, Iranian media reported that the Sorayya satellite tv for pc had been launched right into a 750km (465-mile) orbit, the very best by the nation to date.
In February, Russia put into orbit an Iranian distant sensing and imaging satellite tv for pc, drawing condemnation from the US.
On the time, Iran’s telecommunications minister mentioned Iran had carried out a dozen satellite tv for pc launches over the earlier two years.
Iran has confronted crippling Western sanctions for years, particularly after the US, below then-President Donald Trump, unilaterally deserted a landmark nuclear deal between Tehran and main powers in 2018.
