TEHRAN: Iran on Saturday blasted a new research satellite into orbit, state media said, in the latest such development for an aerospace programme that has long faced Western criticism.

“The Chamran-1 research satellite was successfully launched and put into orbit by the Ghaem-100 carrier,” state TV said.

The satellite, which weighs around 60kg, is designed to test hardware and software systems for orbital manoeuvre technology. The device was built by industries affiliated with the defence ministry, state TV said.

Western governments, including the US, have repeatedly warned Iran against such launches, saying the same technology can be used for ballistic missiles, including ones designed to deliver a nuclear warhead.

Iran has countered that it is not seeking nuclear weapons and that its satellite and rocket launches are for civil or defence purposes only.

The Ghaem-100 rocket that carried the latest satellite is manufactured by the aerospace organisation of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Iran has for years been advancing its aerospace activities, insisting they are peaceful and in accordance with UNSC resolutions. In February, Russia put into orbit an Iranian remote-sensing and -imaging satellite, drawing condemnation from the US.

Published in Dawn, September 15th, 2024