Iran puts its second satellite of the year into orbit, state media say – Diario La Página – 2024-09-15 09:37:24

Iran launched a research satellite into orbit on Saturday using a rocket built by the Revolutionary Guard, state media reported.

The launch comes as the United States and European countries accuse Iran of transferring ballistic missiles to Russia that would likely be used in its war with Ukraine within weeks. Iran has denied this.

The Chamran-1 satellite, which was launched into space by the Qaem-100 satellite carrier, was put into a 550-kilometer (340-mile) orbit and its first signals had been received, the media said, adding that the solid-fuel carrier was designed and built by the Revolutionary Guard’s Aerospace Force.

The primary mission of the satellite, which weighs 60 kg (132 pounds), “is to test hardware and software systems to demonstrate orbital height and phase maneuvering technology,” according to state media.

In January, Iranian media reported that the Sorayya satellite had been launched into a 750km orbit, the country’s highest to date.

The US military alleges that long-range ballistic technology used to put satellites into orbit could also allow Tehran to launch long-range weapons, possibly including nuclear warheads.

Tehran denies that its satellite activities are a cover for ballistic missile development and says it has never pursued nuclear weapons development.

Chamran-1’s other mission was to “evaluate the cold gas propulsion subsystem in space systems and the performance of the navigation and attitude control subsystems,” state media reported.

Iran, which has one of the largest missile programs in the Middle East, has suffered several failed satellite launches in recent years due to technical problems.