http://news.yam.com/afp/international/200808/20080818207617.html
伊朗發射自製火箭 把測試衛星送上太空
法新社╱毛盈超 2008-08-18 06:35
（法新社德黑蘭十七日電）伊朗表示，它在今天發射一枚火箭，把一顆測試衛星送上太空。伊朗此舉恐會進一步加深因核子計畫而與西方爆發的緊張關係。
伊朗太空部門首長塔格希普爾告訴國營電視台：「大使號火箭成功發射，所有系統都是伊朗自製，並把一枚測試衛星送上太空軌道。」
國營電視台播出大使火箭拂曉發射的畫面，並稱：「我們已為未來施放衛星進入太空做好準備。」
懷疑伊朗正試圖研發核武的西方國家，也對伊朗的太空計畫表示關切，擔心伊朗可能會把它使用在軍事上。
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080817/wl_mideast_afp/iranspace_080817202600;_ylt=Aso2uEjg80z_F4PnI_wol6GaOrgF
Iran sparks US concern with satellite rocket launch
by Siavosh Ghazi
Sun Aug 17, 4:26 PM ET
TEHRAN (AFP) - Iran said it had sent a rocket carrying a dummy satellite into space on Sunday, triggering fresh concern in Washington that the technology could be diverted to ballistic missiles.
The launch is likely to further exacerbate tensions with the West over its nuclear drive, which Iran's arch-foe Washington and its allies claim is a cover for atomic weapons ambitions.
"The Safir (Ambassador) rocket was successfully launched. All its systems...are Iranian-made," Reza Taghipour, head of Iran's space agency, told state television, adding that a "test satellite was put into orbit."
"We have paved the way for placing a satellite in space in future," state television said, showing images of the pre-dawn rocket launch which was attended by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Western governments, already concerned over Iran's nuclear activities, have warned that the technology used in the Islamic republic's space programme could be diverted to military use, claims denied by Tehran.
"The Iranian development and testing of rockets is troubling and raises further questions about their intentions," White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said.
"This action and dual use possibilities for their ballistic missile program are inconsistent with their UN Security Council obligations."
A top Iranian official told AFP that state media reports that the country's first domestically-built satellite, called Omid or Hope, had been launched were not correct.
A defence ministry statement carried by the official news agency IRNA had said the rocket, "built by Iranian experts" was launched with Omid. But the official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the media was mistaken.
Iran's Arabic-language state television broadcast footage of the rocket heading into space and graphics showing a satellite separating from a rocket.
Sunday's development comes amid an international standoff over Tehran's long-standing refusal to suspend uranium enrichment, a process which makes nuclear fuel but also the core of an atomic bomb.
Israel and its staunch ally the United States have never ruled out a military strike against Iran's nuclear sites, although currently Washington has said it is pursuing the diplomatic option.
On Sunday, Iran's air force commander said its fighter jets have been upgraded to allow them to fly 3,000 kilometres (1,860 miles) without refuelling which would put Israel easily within reach.
"We do not wish to attack another country... but we will defend ourselves should we be attacked," Brigadier General Ahmad Mighani added, without however mentioning Israel.
Ahmadinejad has made Iran's scientific development one of the main themes of his presidency, asserting that the country has reached a peak of progress despite sanctions and no longer needs to depend on foreign states for help.
"This satellite, the rocket and the launch station are entirely Iranian-built, achieved by particularly talented scientists and technicians," Ahmadinejad told reporters in Turkey last week, announcing that the satellite would be launched soon, IRNA said.
In February, Iran triggered international concern when it said it had sent a probe into space on the back of a rocket to prepare for a satellite launch, and announced the opening of its space station in a remote western desert.
Iran is risking a possible fourth round of UN sanctions after it failed to give a clear response to an incentives package offered by six major world powers in return for halting uranium enrichment.
Iran, the world's fourth largest oil producer, insists its nuclear work is aimed purely at generating electricity.
In February, the deputy head of Iran's space organisation said the Omid satellite would be put into orbit at an altitude of 650 kilometres (400 miles) above the earth, passing over Iran six times every 24 hours.
Iran has pursued a space programme for several years, and in October 2005 a Russian-made Iranian satellite named Sina-1 was put into orbit by a Russian rocket.
Sunday's launch came on the birth anniversary of eighth century Imam Mahdi, who vanished as a boy and who Shiites believe will return one day as the messiah.
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