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| Iran launches homegrown satellite | Iran launches homegrown satellite |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Iran has launched its first domestically made satellite into orbit, state media report. | |
| TV commentary said Monday's night-time launch on a Safir-2 rocket was "another achievement for Iranian scientists under sanctions". | TV commentary said Monday's night-time launch on a Safir-2 rocket was "another achievement for Iranian scientists under sanctions". |
| The satellite was designed for research and telecommunications purposes, the television report said. | The satellite was designed for research and telecommunications purposes, the television report said. |
| Iran is subject to UN sanctions as some Western powers think it is trying to build a nuclear bomb, which it denies. | Iran is subject to UN sanctions as some Western powers think it is trying to build a nuclear bomb, which it denies. |
| Tehran says its nuclear ambitions are limited to the production of energy, and has emphasised its satellite project is entirely peaceful. | Tehran says its nuclear ambitions are limited to the production of energy, and has emphasised its satellite project is entirely peaceful. |
| The launch of the Omid (Hope) satellite had been expected and was clearly timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the Iranian revolution, says the BBC's Jon Leyne in Tehran. | The launch of the Omid (Hope) satellite had been expected and was clearly timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the Iranian revolution, says the BBC's Jon Leyne in Tehran. |
| Space centre | Space centre |
| Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the satellite was launched to spread "monotheism, peace and justice" in the world. | Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the satellite was launched to spread "monotheism, peace and justice" in the world. |
| But the launch could cause alarm in the West because of fears the technology could be used to make a long-range missile, possibly with a nuclear warhead, our correspondent says. IRAN SPACE AMBITIONS Aug 2008: Iran launches rocket 'capable of carrying satellite'Feb 2008: Iran launches research rocket as part of satellite launch preparations, Tehran saysFeb 2007: Iran says it launches rocket capable of reaching space, which makes parachute-assisted descent to EarthOct 2005: Russian rocket launches Iran's first satellite, Sina-1 Iran's slow but sure missile advance | But the launch could cause alarm in the West because of fears the technology could be used to make a long-range missile, possibly with a nuclear warhead, our correspondent says. IRAN SPACE AMBITIONS Aug 2008: Iran launches rocket 'capable of carrying satellite'Feb 2008: Iran launches research rocket as part of satellite launch preparations, Tehran saysFeb 2007: Iran says it launches rocket capable of reaching space, which makes parachute-assisted descent to EarthOct 2005: Russian rocket launches Iran's first satellite, Sina-1 Iran's slow but sure missile advance |
| Iran will no doubt reply that it is once again being judged by double standards for using a technology that is commonplace in many other parts of the world, he adds. | Iran will no doubt reply that it is once again being judged by double standards for using a technology that is commonplace in many other parts of the world, he adds. |
| Speaking after the launch, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki stressed the project was peaceful. | Speaking after the launch, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki stressed the project was peaceful. |
| "Iran's satellite technology is for purely peaceful purposes and to meet the needs of the country," Reuters agency quoted Mr Mottaki as saying on the fringes of an African Union summit in Ethiopia. | "Iran's satellite technology is for purely peaceful purposes and to meet the needs of the country," Reuters agency quoted Mr Mottaki as saying on the fringes of an African Union summit in Ethiopia. |
| Last August, Iran said it had successfully launched a rocket capable of carrying its first domestically built satellite, having in February launched a low-orbit research rocket as part of preparations for the satellite launch. | Last August, Iran said it had successfully launched a rocket capable of carrying its first domestically built satellite, having in February launched a low-orbit research rocket as part of preparations for the satellite launch. |
| That launch marked the inauguration of a new space centre, at an unidentified desert location, which included an underground control station and satellite launch pad. | That launch marked the inauguration of a new space centre, at an unidentified desert location, which included an underground control station and satellite launch pad. |
| The White House called the 2008 launch "unfortunate", warning it would further isolate Iran from the global community. | The White House called the 2008 launch "unfortunate", warning it would further isolate Iran from the global community. |
| In February 2007, Iran said it had launched a rocket capable of reaching space - before it made a parachute-assisted descent to Earth. | In February 2007, Iran said it had launched a rocket capable of reaching space - before it made a parachute-assisted descent to Earth. |
| In October 2005, a Russian rocket launched Iran's first satellite, the Sina-1, which carried photographic and telecommunications equipment. | In October 2005, a Russian rocket launched Iran's first satellite, the Sina-1, which carried photographic and telecommunications equipment. |
| Are you in Iran? What do you think of the launch of the satellite? You can send us your comments using the form below: | Are you in Iran? What do you think of the launch of the satellite? You can send us your comments using the form below: |