Iran planning more rocket tests

Associated Press , THE JERUSALEM POST
Feb. 11, 2008

Iran will launch two more research rockets into space before putting its first domestically built satellite into orbit, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Monday, claiming the first rocket launch earlier this month was a success.

The hard-line president, speaking at a rally marking the 29th anniversary of the Islamic revolution, said with the rocket launches and the recent unveiling of its first major space center, his country had the ability to send an Iranian-made satellite into orbit, hopefully this summer.

"Having a presence in space is the need for a nation to enjoy a glorious life," Ahmadinejad said. "Today, we possess all the fundamental sections needed to launch a satellite into space. We built all [of the sections] ourselves."

Iran launched its first research rocket on February 4 when it also announced the space center and its first indigenous satellite - called Omid, or Hope.

Iran has long declared a goal of developing a space program, but the same technology used to put satellites in space can also be used to deliver warheads. The country's space program, like its nuclear power program, has provoked unease abroad.

Despite the anxiety over Iran's space program, it is not exactly clear how developed it is, and analysts have expressed doubts about such technological achievements announced by the country in the past.

Iran has said it wants to put its own satellites into orbit to monitor natural disasters in the earthquake-prone nation and improve its telecommunications. Iranian officials also point to America's use of satellites to monitor Afghanistan and Iraq and say they need similar abilities for their security.

Iranian officials have said the country wants to launch a satellite on an indigenous rocket and indicated they are developing a Shahab-4 missile to do that. Iran's powerful ballistic missile, the Shahab-3, is believed to have a range of at least 1,300 kilometers (800 miles), putting Israel and much of the Middle East in range. In November, Iran said it had manufactured a new missile, the Ashoura, with a range of 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles).

Iran hopes to launch four more satellites by 2010, the government has said.

I do not think Iran should be allowed to launch any more rockets or develop a space program. The United States should shoot down these rockets and any others the Iranians launch. The entire purpose of rocket launching is anti-Israel and should not be tolerated by any rational country that is part of the world community.

Israel must be protected!