Iran launches a space program

[Caliga]

Ground control to Major Khan? 

Iran Says It Sent Animals Into Space
By ALAN COWELL
Published: February 3, 2010

PARIS — In what seemed designed as a display of advancing missile technology, Iran said on Wednesday that it had test-fired a rocket into space carrying living organisms — a rat, two turtles and worms, according to the official Press TV broadcaster.

The launch of what was described as a Kavoshgar-3 missile, capable of carrying satellites, came as the Tehran regime is facing a series of challenges.

Iran is preparing to celebrate the 31st anniversary of the Islamic revolution in 1979; it is locked in dispute with the United States and other powers over its nuclear program; and its leaders are facing the worst political crisis since the revolution following last June's flawed presidential elections.

Iran's missile program has prompted worries among Western analysts that it is working on a weapons delivery system with broad regional consequences. In December, Iran said it test-fired an improved version of its most advanced missile, the Sejil-2, capable of reaching Israel and parts of Europe.

The latest launch came days after officials in Washington said the Obama administration is accelerating the deployment of new defenses against possible Iranian missile attacks in the Persian Gulf, placing special ships off the Iranian coast and antimissile systems in at least four Arab countries.

Press TV said Wednesday that the Kavoshgar, or Explorer, missile was the third of its type to be launched space since February 2008, and was carrying an experimental capsule to transfer telemetric data, live pictures and other information to Earth. A second Kavoshgar was launched in November 2008, Press TV said. The model launched on Wednesday was described as an updated version of the earlier rockets.

The Iranian Aerospace Organization said: "Live video transmission and the mini-environmental lab will enable further studies on the biological capsule — carrying a rat, two turtles and worms — as it leaves Earth's atmosphere and enters space," Press TV said.

Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi said the space program was specifically for peaceful purposes and Iran would not tolerate "any unpeaceful use of space by any country," the official IRNA news agency said.

State television broadcast images of the launch and showed officials putting what looked like living organisms inside a capsule placed in the rocket, news reports said.

Earlier, Iranian state media said Iran would unveil another satellite carrier, called Simorgh, and three new satellites.

After months of unsuccessful diplomatic overtures, the Obama administration is seeking broad international support for sanctions against the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps, which Western nations say control a covert nuclear arms program. Tehran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.

President Obama spoke of the shift in his State of the Union address, warning of "consequences" if Iran continued to defy United Nations demands to stop manufacturing nuclear fuel. Last Friday, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton publicly warned China that its opposition to sanctions against Iran was shortsighted.

[Tamas]

They will reform from within, no blood for security!

[Caliga]

I kinda like the idea of space jihadists actually. 

[Neil]

So Iran will actually be technologically superior to the United States? 

[Crazy_Ivan80]

soon suicidebomber from space....
We need to lock down space for the inferiour cultures. The galaxy belongs to the west

[Grallon]

The day when a western city goes up in flame approaches.  I wonder if it'll be Tel-Aviv or something in Europe? 




G.

[Caliga]

The day when a western city goes up in flame approaches.  I wonder if it's be Tel-Aviv or something in Europe? 

Tel Aviv for sure. 

[Neil]

The day when a western city goes up in flame approaches.  I wonder if it's be Tel-Aviv or something in Europe? 

I would imagine Tel Aviv.  And although Europe might deserve to have a city destroyed by atomics in retribution for them turning cowardice and naivete into virtues, the United States bears a large portion of the blame here as well.

[Grallon]

Democracy breeds indolence and complacency. 




G.

[Fireblade]

I kinda like the idea of space jihadists actually. 

The Intergalactic Caliphate

[Grallon]

The Intergalactic Caliphate

The Bene Tleilax




G.

[DontSayBanana]

The Intergalactic Caliphate

The Bene Tleilax




G.

I've got it!  Obama's the product of the Bene Gesserit breeding program!

[Razgovory]

PARIS — In what seemed designed as a display of advancing missile technology, Iran said on Wednesday that it had test-fired a rocket into space carrying living organisms — a rat, two turtles and worms, according to the official Press TV broadcaster.

It is a bit embarrassing that the only citizens of Iran who passed the Astronaut requirements are a rat, two turtles and a mass of worms.

[DisturbedPervert]

Only one rocket?  I thought their Photoshop program was more advanced than that by now.

[Savonarola]

The day when a western city goes up in flame approaches.  I wonder if it's be Tel-Aviv or something in Europe? 

Tel Aviv for sure. 

It could be London; they seem to hate the British a great deal.