Iran says it has successfully launched an imaging satellite into orbit amid tensions with the WestDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran claimed on Wednesday that it successfully launched an imaging satellite into space, a move that could further ratchet up tensions with Western nations that fear its space technology could be used to develop nuclear weapons.Iran’s Communication Minister Isa Zarepour said the Noor-3 satellite had been put in an orbit 450 kilometers (280 miles) above the Earth’s surface, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.There was no immediate acknowledgment from Western officials of the launch or of the satellite being put into orbit. Iran has had a series of failed launches in recent years.It was unclear when the launch took place. The U.S. military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.................
EHRAN (Tasnim) – The commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Aerospace Force Space Division General Ali Jafarabadi said Iran has the capacity to launch small satellites for neighboring countries into space."The homegrown Qassed slv has gained the necessary qualifications, and in the future, we can incorporate it into the production process. After two or three launches, we will have the capability to launch small satellites from neighboring countries," General Jafarabadi stated, adding that the registered data code for the Noor-III satellite is 57962, and people can track it on the Internet.General Jafarabadi also said that only 1.5 hours post-launch, the Noor-III (light) imaging satellite swiftly stabilized and is now rapidly progressing toward full operational status.He noted that this launch marks the inaugural use of thrusters or space propulsion systems capable of fine-tuning orbits and maintaining altitude.
Jafarabadi said: The mission of the Noor 3 satellite is identification, and the camera used in it has two and a half times higher photo accuracy than the Noor 2 camera.The space commander of IRGC Aerospace Force also stated: some of signal sensors are installed in Noor 3, which is different from Noor 1 and 2.
Sardar Jafar Abadi said: "Qased SLV has acquired the necessary competence to launch multiple satellites, and from now on, this satellite will be produced and will launch the necessary satellites at a higher rate." After that, we will focus on Ghaem SLV and fix its defects so that it reaches orbital launch. In the future, we will create a LEO orbit satellite system to help with informations and other needs. In a hidden layer, we are also following the work to reach the 36,000 km orbit, which God willing will happen in the seventh five-year plan.
Not sure if this is a file photo.
The IRGC's Noor-3 satellite reentered on Aug 16.
