Iran 'fires satellite into space'

[Notebook]

Didn't a similar 'achievment' happen last year?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/7566804.stm

N.

 

[GregBurch]

tick, tick, tick ...

 

[pete.dakota]

What's more surprising? Iran orbiting sattelites or that they launched with that much wind on the range! Those flags were going nuts.

 

[computerex]

Ah. Good to see Iran slowly making it's way up there.

 

[GregBurch]

Ah. Good to see Iran slowly making it's way up there.

Are you serious?

 

[computerex]

Are you serious?

Am I?

 

[Andy44]

I have a feeling that Iranian space capability is in jeopardy.

 

[GregBurch]

I have a feeling that Iranian space capability is in jeopardy.

Yep -- serious jeopardy. Ironically, the most likely trigger for an attack on Iran right now is an Obama victory in the US elections in November. If he wins, I think it might be very unhealthy to be anywhere near an Iranian missile or nuclear facility for the following month or so ...

 

[Jarvitä]

It's true there is very little proof that the Iranian nuclear program has military intentions. However, given that they're developing long-range missiles in parallel, I don't think there can be any doubt as to what's going on. They wouldn't be developing missiles with that kind of capability if they planned to load them with conventional explosives. Loading their entire air force with conventional explosives and sending them off to their target on a suicide mission would probably be more reliable and cost-effective than delivering the same payload with that missile. The only possible explanation to why they need a missile of this capability and range is to carry their nuclear warheads.

 

[simonpro]

Radar hasn't picked up any new satellites, so the Iranians are lying if they say they put a satellite in orbit.
Still, the test launch seems to have been a success, so congratulations to them on that achievement.

And notebook, no: The one a few months ago was a suborbital launch, not dissimilar to Black Brant.

 

[Notebook]

That's what I was thinking, the item is a bit thin. Maybe more info will come out soon.

N.

 

[Urwumpe]

Radar hasn't picked up any new satellites, so the Iranians are lying if they say they put a satellite in orbit.
Still, the test launch seems to have been a success, so congratulations to them on that achievement.

also, it fits to the fact that the iranians still lack rockets with more than 1000 km range. even without payload, such missiles can't reach orbital speed.

 

[SiberianTiger]

Interesting... So do they have an Inter-Continental capable missile or not? I think saying they have only under 1000 km range missiles is an understimation.

By the way, the authorities of North Korea make their people believe that once upon a time they launched a satellite (which did not really happen). Do the government of Iran want to follow their example?

 

[Urwumpe]

Interesting... So do they have an Inter-Continental capable missile or not? I think saying they have only under 1000 km range missiles is an understimation.

From what I have read, the longest ranged missile they launched had a bit above 1000 km range - enough to bother Israel, but not more.

By the way, the authorities of North Korea make their people believe that once upon a time they launched a satellite (which did not really happen). Do the government of Iran want to follow their example?

The rocket technology of Iran is bought from North Korea. They work on improving it, but so far, the main purpose is as plain propaganda tool. Including the fact that they improve the press photos of launches to hide failing rockets and increase the number.

EDIT:

Some photos of the launch vehicle:
http://www.mehrnews.com/fa/NewsDetail.aspx?NewsID=632813

Base looks very similar to V1, Redstone and Scud (and derivatives), subtracting the length of the first stage by assuming other Iranian scud derivatives, there is only a small second stage left.

The satellite does also look not too impressive for western standards, at least it is no grapefruit.

Note that the support arm of the launch pad ends halfway during the length of the rocket. That means all electrical connections run through the base of the rocket, like on many Russian launchers using storage propellants.

 

[Kyle]

Well, my personal opinion. If Iran shoots one nuke at us, we turn the place into a crater.
Even Obama would do it.

 

[Quick_Nick]

Well, my personal opinion. If Iran shoots one nuke at us, we turn the place into a crater.
Even Obama would do it.

That's exactly how the Cold War could have made humans just about extinct. Assuming they've got enough nukes (doubt it's enough, but a lot anyways), we could end up with that result here. I don't think they're foolish enough to try to nuke us though. I know we can be well defended with modern technology, but nukes flying everywhere isn't good.

 

[GregBurch]

Well, my personal opinion. If Iran shoots one nuke at us, we turn the place into a crater.
Even Obama would do it.

What if they "shoot one nuke" at Israel? Then what?

What if they develop a nuclear weapon and then, some time later a nuke goes off in an American or European city, but the Iranians deny responsibility, saying that some group not connected to them did it? Than what?

 

[willy88]

North Korea (apparently) has nukes, Iran (apparently) has satellite launch capability, hmm...

 

[Jarvitä]

What if they "shoot one nuke" at Israel? Then what?

I suspect, Israel turns any country that's ever attacked or opposed it into a crater.

 

[ar81]

[humor mode]
I launched a satellite once in real life...
It had an apoapsis of about 20 meters above Earth surface... and the periapsis was near center of Earth, so it looks like it had an early atmospheric entry...
[/humor mode]
:rofl: