Iran’s Ahmadinejad Unveils Satellites and Disingenuous Offer on Uranium
James Phillips /
Iran’s government today announced the successful launching of a research rocket carrying a mouse, two turtles and worms into space. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad trumpeted the launch as a “very big event” and promised on state-controlled television that “The scientific arena is where we could defeat the (West’s) domination.” The launch of the Explorer-3 rocket is part of Iran’s ambitious space program, which concerns many Iran-watchers because the same technology used to launch research rockets and satellites can also be used to deliver warheads in ballistic missiles. Significantly, the launch was announced by Iran’s Defense Minister, General Ahmed Vahidi.
Ahmadinejad also unveiled three Iranian-built satellites and a new booster rocket that reportedly is capable of carrying a satellite into orbit about 300 miles above the earth. The ceremony took place on the “National Day of Space and Technology” which is part of the ten day run-up to the February 11 anniversary of Iran’s 1979 revolution. During the same period last year, Iran launched an Iranian-built satellite into space with an Iranian-built rocket for the first time.