Iran made an unsuccessful attempt to place its “Zafar 1” communications satellite into orbit during a launch from the Imam Khomeini Spaceport. According to Defense Ministry space program spokesman Ahmad Hosseini, the Simorgh rocket functioned properly during early stages of the launch, but failed to achieve the velocity needed to place the satellite into orbit. Iran experienced two failed satellite launches and a launchpad explosion in 2019. The United States contends that Iran’s satellite program assists in its ballistic missile development in violation of a U.N. Security Council resolution.