Iran's home-brewed space program suffered an embarrassing failure today as its Safir rocket failed to deliver a Payam satellite into orbit. But to some U.S. government officials, this launch is not what it seems. They believe Iran’s space program is just a cover for the development of long-range missiles, though that view is not universally shared. The Safir rocket’s third stage reportedly ran into trouble after the launch from Imam Khomeini Space Center in Iran's Semnan province early this morning. Previously, American officials didn't think the Safir even had a third stage, so previous information about the rocket was either incorrect or the rocket launched yesterday incorporated a new invention. Safir is described as 72 feet long and just more than four feet wide. As a two-stage rocket, Safir had a launch weight of 26 to 27 tons at liftoff, most of that fuel, and was thought to be capable of carrying up to 100 pounds into low-Earth orbit. A third stage should allow a heavier payload. Out of eight launches between 2009 and 2019, four have been successful. A picture obtained on December 14, 2013, from Iran’s ISNA news agency allegedly shows the launch of the Pajohesh ("research") rocket containing a live space monkey named Fargam ("auspicious") at an undisclosed location in Iran. Getty Images Iran claims to be developing its own spaceflight industry because no one else will sell satellites and rockets to the country, a claim that is pretty much true. Iran’s orbiters have so far been mostly remote sensing and imaging satellites, although it also claims to have sent two monkeys into orbit. There are no international agreements that prohibit the country from developing its own space rockets. However, senior Trump administration officials, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, believe Iran is using the space launches to further its ballistic missile program, which could lead to missiles capable of striking the United States. However—while space rockets and ICBMs have a lot in common—The New York Times recently reported that the Pentagon and the U.S. intelligence community did not believe that was the case. Iran has been conducting space launches since 2005 and yet there has been little practical movement toward long-range missiles in that time frame. Via Associated Press This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io<doc-sep>The United States has condemned Iran's latest attempt at launching a satellite into orbit, warning that Washington "will not stand for Iran's blatant disregard for international norms." The January 15 statement by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo came hours after Iranian officials announced they had launched a rocket carrying an ecological monitoring satellite but that the mission had failed. The attempted launch, and the sharp response from Washington, were the latest indication of mounting tensions in the region as the United States tries to turn up pressure on Tehran. In comments to Iranian state TV, Telecommunications Minister Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi did not say what caused the failure of the rocket but vowed that scientists would continue their research. He later said in a post on Twitter that another satellite would soon be launched. President Hassan Rohani said earlier this week that the two satellites were both intended to gather information on environmental change in Iran. Pompeo asserted in his statement that Iran's satellite program uses technologies "that are virtually identical and interchangeable with those used in ballistic missiles." "We have been clear that we will not stand for Iran’s flagrant disregard for international norms," he said. The launch drew condemnation from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well, who alleged it was actually "the first stage of an intercontinental missile." Iran insists the launches do not violate United Nations resolutions aimed at curtailing its rocket programs. With reporting by AP and AFP<doc-sep>TEHRAN — Iranian officials said on Tuesday that a satellite launch that had been condemned by the Trump administration failed when the carrier rocket could not reach orbit. “I would have liked to make you happy with some good news, but sometimes life does not go as expected,” Iran’s minister of telecommunications, Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi, said in a Twitter post. He said the rocket, a Safir, long used for satellite launches, had failed in the final stage, falling short of placing its payload into the correct orbit. He did not offer any explanation. The United States, Israel and some European countries have criticized Iranian missile tests in the past, saying the launches pose a threat to the region. One reason President Trump gave for withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal was its failure to address the threat of Iran’s ballistic missiles.<doc-sep>Iran’s attempt to launch a satellite failed to reach orbit, the country’s telecommunications minister has said. The rocket carrying the Payam satellite failed to reach the “necessary speed” in the third stage of its launch, Mohammad-Javad Azari Jahromi told Iranian state television. Mr Jahromi said the rocket had successfully passed its first and second stages before developing problems in the third. He did not elaborate on what caused the failure, but promised that Iranian scientists would continue their work. It came after Iran ignored US warnings to avoid undertaking three planned rocket launches Washington said would violate a UN Security Council resolution because they use ballistic missile technology. The US is concerned the long-range ballistic technology used to put satellites into orbit can also be used to launch missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. Payam failed to reach ‘necessary speed’ in third stage of its launch (Reuters) In Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu promptly condemned the launch, accusing Tehran of lying and alleging that the “innocent satellite” was actually “the first stage of an intercontinental missile” Iran is developing in violation of international agreements. Iran, which considers its space programme a matter of national pride, has said the launches and missile tests were not violations and would continue. Payam was intended to be used for imaging and communications purposes and was mounted with four cameras, according to a report on the telecommunications ministry’s website. It was intended to stay at an altitude of 500km for approximately three years. The Payam satellite was seen in the sky after it was launched, and had successfully passed its first and second stages before developing problems in the third (Reuters) (REUTERS) It is one of two satellites Iran plans to send into orbit, the other named Doosti. Payam means “message” in Farsi, while Doosti means “friendship”. Over the past decade, Iran has sent several short-lived satellites into orbit and in 2013 launched a monkey into space. ✕ Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Iran usually displays space achievements in February during the anniversary of its 1979 Islamic Revolution. This year marks the Middle East nation’s 40th anniversary of the revolution amid increasing pressure from the US under Donald Trump’s administration. Additional reporting by agencies<doc-sep>
TEHRAN, Iran — Iran on Tuesday conducted one of at least two satellite launches it plans despite criticism from the United States, but the satellite failed to reach orbit, an official said. The rocket carrying the Payam satellite failed to reach the "necessary speed" in the third stage of its launch, Telecommunications Minister Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi told Iranian state television. Jahromi said the rocket had successfully passed its first and second stages before developing problems in the third. He did not elaborate on what caused the rocket failure, but promised that Iranian scientists would continue their work. Iran has said it plans to send two satellites, Payam and Doosti, into the orbit. Payam means "message" in Farsi, while Doosti means "friendship." It's unclear how the failure of the Payam will affect the launch timing for the Doosti. Jahromi wrote on Twitter that "Doosti is waiting for orbit," without elaborating. The U.S. is concerned that the long-range ballistic technology used to put satellites into orbit can also be used to launch warheads. Iran, which considers its space program a matter of national pride, has said its space vehicle launches and missile tests were not violations and would continue. Over the past decade, Iran has sent several short-lived satellites into orbit and in 2013 launched a monkey into space. Iran usually displays space achievements in February during the anniversary of its 1979 Islamic Revolution. This year will mark the 40th anniversary of the revolution amid Iran facing increasing pressure from the U.S. under the administration of President Donald Trump. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said that Iran's plans for sending satellites into orbit demonstrate the country's defiance of a U.N. Security Council resolution that calls on Iran to undertake no activity related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons. Iran insists the launches do not violate the resolution. Iran denies wanting nuclear weapons. A 2015 nuclear deal it struck with world powers limited its enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. However, Trump pulled America out of the deal in May. While United Nations inspectors say Iran has honored the deal up to this point, it has threatened to resume higher enrichment.