Iran launched a new research satellite into space on Sept. 14, according to state media reports.
Iran’s official Islamic Revolutionary News Agency (IRNA) reported the satellite, dubbed the Chamran 1, flew to an altitude of 550 kilometers (341 miles) above the Earth’s surface. IRNA reported the satellite was carried on a Qaem-100 satellite carrier, a solid-fuel-burning rocket developed by the aerospace arm of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) military branch.
The Iranian state media publication described the Chamran 1 as a research satellite developed in collaboration between IRGC aerospace forces and the Space Group of Iranian Electronics Industries. The satellite reportedly weighs about 60 kg (about 132 pounds) and, per the Iranian state media, is designed to test orbital maneuvering software and hardware.
Salami, furthermore, called the Saturday launch mission a national accomplishment, adding that this is the second successful Iranian satellite launch this year.
There was no immediate independent confirmation of the launch’s success.
Iran is also continuing to enrich uranium, the report said, bringing it closer to weapons-grade levels. The uranium enrichment, combined with advancements that could serve an ICBM program, could form the basis for an Iranian nuclear weapons program.
Iran has denied it’s pursuing nuclear weapons or advancing an ICBM program under the guise of satellite activity.
Still, the satellite was launched at a time of heightened tensions across the wider Middle East, with the ongoing Israel–Hamas war in the Gaza Strip, and Iranian vows to retaliate against Israel after Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed under mysterious circumstances while visiting Tehran in July.
Salami, on Saturday, vowed Iran will continue to expand its space capabilities, despite what he described as the psychological warfare and propaganda of Iran’s enemies, which he said are meant to undermine Iran.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
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