[FPSPACE] BBC reports Iranian satellite launching

[Peter Pesavento]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/7566804.stm

 

 

Satellite is named "Safir-e Omid" ("Hope Envoy"), it appears to be an actual
satellite launching.  Their president attended the launching, according to
at least one source.

 

Page last updated at 15:00 GMT, Sunday, 17 August 2008 16:00 UK

 

Iran 'fires satellite into space' 

Iran has launched its first domestically-manufactured satellite into orbit,
reports say. 

An Iranian news network, IRINN, showed footage of what it said was a
communications satellite named Safir-e Omid (Hope Envoy) being launched. 

The pictures were accompanied by patriotic songs and music. 

Iran has pursued its own space programme for years. In February it sent a
probe into space as part of preparations for this launch. 

Long-held ambition 

Footage aired on IRINN (Islamic Republic of Iran News Network) showed the
launch of the rocket in darkness. 

The presenter said that the satellite launch was a trial which was
successful. State and military officials confirmed that the launch had taken
place. 

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was at the launch, said one report. 

Iran has long pursued its own space programme. 

In October 2005 a Russian-made Iranian satellite named Sina-1 was put into
orbit by a Russian rocket. 

Sunday's launch comes amid a long-running dispute over Iran's nuclear
activities. 

The US and some European countries have demanded that Iran curtail uranium
enrichment - but Iran protests that its purposes are peaceful and says it
has a right to continue. 

 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://www.friends-partners.org/pipermail/fpspace/attachments/20080817/c2f21a3b/attachment.html