Iranian rocket successfully launches Omid satellite
On February 2, Iran joined the exclusive club of countries that have succeeded in placing a satellite in orbit. Iran launched its Omid satellite atop a two-stage rocket, the Safir-2, from Iran’s space center in the Semnan Province, southeast of Tehran. The launch has alarmed the world because the same rocket Iran used to propel its satellite could also deliver warheads over considerable distances. Iran has dismissed these concerns; Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki stated that “Iran's satellite technology is for purely peaceful purposes and to meet the needs of the country.”
There is some debate surrounding the technical specifications of the Safir-2, including the specific type of fuel used, and the extent to which Iran relied on foreign technology. The Safir-2 is reportedly about 22 meters long, has a diameter of 1.25 meters and weighs 26,000 kg. The Omid weighs approximately 25 kg. A nuclear warhead would weigh far more than the Omid. Private analysts estimate that the rocket could travel about 2,500 km if employed as a strategic missile. There is also a question about the accuracy of the rocket if used as a missile. Iran’s smaller Shahab-3 rocket, on which the Safir-2’s first stage may be based, is considered to have low accuracy as a missile.
Pictures of the Safir-2 prior to launch are available on Iranian media web sites here and here.
Read reactions and analysis from around the world
Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff James E. Cartwright suggests that we should worry about Iran's space program, despite the "rudimentary" technology used in the Omid launch, 2-10-09.
U.S. State Department acting spokesman Robert Wood acknowledges the continuing threat posed by Iran, 2-3-09.
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier fears Iran's progress in missile technology, 2-3-09.
Canadian Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon comments on the international security implications of Iran's new satellite technology, 2-4-09.
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak urges the international community to introduce tighter sanctions following the launch of the Omid satellite, 2-4-09.
UK Minister for the Middle East Bill Rammell expresses concerns over the recent developments in Iran, 2-3-09.
French Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Eric Chevallier notes France's alarm over Iran's development of ballistic missile and nuclear technology, 2-3-09.
The New York Times reports on the significance of Iran's first successful satellite launch, 2-3-09.
Arms Control Wonk explains the technology of the Omid satellite, 2-3-09.
Arms Control Wonk questions the use of a two-stage Safir missile in the Omid launch, 2-6-09.
GlobalSecurity.org examines the Iranian satellite program, 1-27-09.
The Heritage Foundation discusses the increasing military threat posed by Iran, 2-4-09. (PDF)