Iran has launched a research satellite into orbit using a rocket built by the Revolutionary Guards, state media reported on Saturday. The launch comes at a time when the United States and European countries have accused Iran of transferring ballistic missiles to Russia, which could potentially be used in the ongoing war with Ukraine. Iran has denied these allegations.
The Chamran-1 satellite was launched into a 550-kilometer orbit using the Qaem-100 satellite carrier, which was designed and built by the Aerospace Force of the Revolutionary Guards. The satellite, weighing 60 kg, has begun transmitting signals, and its primary mission is to test hardware and software systems for demonstrating orbital maneuvering technology.
This launch marks a significant achievement for Iran’s space program, which has faced several failed satellite launches in recent years due to technical issues. The country has one of the largest missile programs in the Middle East, and the US military has expressed concerns that the long-range ballistic technology used to put satellites into orbit could also be used to launch long-range weapons, potentially including nuclear warheads.
However, Tehran denies that its satellite activities are a cover for ballistic missile development and maintains that it has never pursued the development of nuclear weapons. The Chamran-1 satellite’s secondary mission is to evaluate the cold gas propulsion subsystem in space systems and the performance of the navigation and attitude control subsystems.
The launch comes as tensions between Iran and the West continue to escalate, with the US and European countries imposing sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program and alleged support for Russia’s war in Ukraine. Iran’s space program has been a point of contention, with Western countries viewing it as a potential threat to regional and global security.
