Middle East News
First Iranian-made satellite launched into orbit defence ministry (Roundup)
Feb 3, 2009, 11:25 GMT

The Safir (ambassador) satellite-carrier rocket, carrying Iran\'s Omid 2 satellite, is launched at an unknown location in Iran on 3 February 2009. Iran launched into orbit its first domestically produced satellite Tuesday morning. The satellite was designed for research and telecommunications purposes, according to an IRAN tv report. EPA/STRINGER
Tehran - Iran launched into orbit its first domestically produced satellite Tuesday morning, the official news agency IRNA reported.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ordered the launching of the satellite called Omid, or Hope, on a domestically produced Safir 2 rocket, IRNA said.
The televised launch came on the 30th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution.
The Safir rocket was tested twice last year and hailed by Tehran as major progress in Iran's aerospace technology, in spite of international sanctions because of its nuclear programmes.
The government insists the sanctions have not affected Iran's development, and even encouraged local experts to increase the country's technological advance.
Ahmadinejad proclaimed on state television that scientists put the first satellite into orbit and established Iran's presence in space with a message of peace and brotherhood.
The president rejected Western charges that the country's aerospace projects had any military aims and said that unlike in the West, Iran's technology was 'celestial.'
Tehran has often claimed its satellite projects are scientific rather than military projects, and blamed the West of trying to distort Iran's scientific achievements by portraying them as aggressive.
The United States and Israel voiced concern about the test launches last year, because as the same technology could be used to carry ballistic missiles.
But Iran's defence ministry said the world was aware that the project was just an 'ultra-modern scientific achievement' for Iran, and criticized the US and Israel for distorting the motives of the 'technological breakthrough.'
Tehran also plans to help other Islamic states launch satellites.

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Older Talkback
page: 1
Bravo Iran!
We are certain the child murderers will scream and cry for attacks against you. We wish you well.
now since America is collapsing in will move Iran and bin laden without a doubt..
'But Iran's defence ministry said the world was aware that the project was just an 'ultra-modern scientific achievement' for Iran, and criticized the US and Israel for distorting the motives of the 'technological breakthrough.''
What a frickin embarrassing statement. I can nearly build a rocket in my backyard to do the same thing, and if I had a few million bucks I could probably make a much better one than the Iranians. And, do it in my spare time.
It is pathetic how the U.S. goes crazy over these guys. They have absolutely no potential to wreak havoc on the world for decades to come.
Iran has again stated that Israel should be wiped off the map - this time within one year - because it corresponds with the satellite launch - the West should take note.
Islamic science has left Muslim nations in the slow lane - but with so much talk of violence and with their supremacist ideology (see Islamic Revolution) it is likely that few will rush in to help them close the scientific gap ~ a gap which Iran calls technological apartheid.
What's Iran's problem - before Islam - as Persia it used to be one of the greatest nations on earth - with lands stretching from India to Egypt at times - rivalling only Rome.
They feel that their history is greater than that of Arabia's - which for most of history was a barren desert land - almost devoid of people even in Muhammed's day. For this reason Iran feels that it should be in control of the Islamic world - and with the spread of Islam - that it should by default be in control of the whole world.
So first - this is a display to show other Islamic nations that it is the most technologically dominant - and in the push to bring the world under Islam - it will then hold the cards to the entire world.
Second - it shows the Islamic world that - it is in control of the 'Zionist' issue - that if it wishes to - it can take out the Israeli nation - showing up the other Arab/Middle Eastern and Islamic nations who are powerless on this front.
'Iran has again stated that Israel should be wiped off the map'
Germans said the same thing about jews.
U.S. said the same thing about American Indians.
Japan said the same thing about the U.S.
The Roman Empire said the same thing about ... the entire world.
Why should Iran be any different? Cut them a break. Their DEMONSTRATED history is relatively peaceful, they are not engaged in two active wars for example, they are engaged in NO active wars. If anything, the U.S. is the PROVEN aggressive nation.
i dont mind the Iranians persuing a space program, good for them.....the associated loonies in charge of Iran are the real worry. Give them a nuke, and a rocket in which to launch, the loonies will destroy Iran with madness in their minds....searching for martyrdom for all Iranians.
This is really just Iran beating its chest on the global stage. Not much more to it than that. There may come a point where Iran may 'hold the cards to the entire world', but only after the U.S. shoves a few ballistic missles down its throat. Or worse.
The U.S. toppled Saddam quickly, cleanly and efficiently, and can pretty much do the same to any other nation in the world at its whim, including Iran. Its only by the grace and everlasting patience of the U.S. that Iran as a nation has been allowed to exist at all.
Mess with a bull and you get the horns, and it would behoove Iran to tread carefully here lest the U.S. wipe it off the face of the map in an instant.
From tonight you should be sleep with one eye open becuase who knows an iranian nuke might hover your bed 15 times daily. That is really scary.
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Bare Foot MonkFeb 3rd, 2009 - 12:12:54
'Peace' will 'ONLY' be 'ENLIGHTED' when the error of an human 'EGO' dies.
Moving On for 'PEACE & LOVE'
Boomsanka.
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