Iran launched its first functioning satellite into orbit late Monday using a modified long-range missile to place a home-produced research and telecommunications satellite into space. Iran now joins a small group of space-faring nations with the ability to build and launch their own satellites. In 2005, Iran used a Russian rocket to launch a satellite, and in August of 2008 Iran reported they launched a dummy satellite into orbit using their own Safir-2 rocket, but other sources said the rocket suffered a catastrophic failure. This most recent launch, however, was the country’s first success in using their own rocket and their own functional satellite, launched from Iranian territory. The launch coincided with a 10-day celebration of the 30th anniversary of Iran’s Islamic revolution, according to the Fars news agency. On Iranian television, Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the satellite was a “step toward justice and peace.”
Watch video of the launch, which includes several replays:
The small Omid satellite (which means ‘hope’ in Persian) carries experimental control systems, communications equipment, and a small remote sensing payload, Iranian news reports said. U.S. military tracking the launch said two objects, likely the satellite itself and part of its booster, are circling Earth in oval-shaped orbits. The orbits range in altitude from low points of 153 miles to high points of 235 miles and 273 miles. The orbital inclination is 55.5 degrees.
The former Soviet Union launched the world’s first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, in October 1957. The United States followed with the successful launch of Explorer 1 in January 1958. France, Japan, China, the United Kingdom, India and Israel later developed and successfully flew their own space launchers.
Iran plans several more satellites over the next few years to bolster disaster management programs and strengthen communications networks inside the country.
Iran is subject to United Nations sanctions as some Western powers think it is trying to build a nuclear bomb, which it denies.
Tehran says its nuclear ambitions are limited to the production of energy, and has emphasized its satellite project is entirely peaceful.
Sources: Spaceflightnow.com, BBC
Very Cool! I love hearing about smaller nations getting into space.
Congratulations, Iran! A major step forward for another spacefaring nation!
Ahmadinejad said the satellite was a “step toward justice and peace.” How that?
dollhopf: I know eh. i lost him at that too.
Could it be he is referring to more co-operation with the UN from now on?
JoeTO
Not good, not good. They say peaceful purposes, but humans lie. This is a nation that wants to setup their defense and then they will have their offence. There will never be peace on Earth since every nation wants to rule the world.
Nations are just setting up their defense/offence until one nation is provoked and then BAM…an all out war begins.
Not good when enemies are getting into the space race and are researching and developing.
Dear Non-ChalANT,
Holy paranoia. You sound like you belong on Bush’s former presidential cabinet.
Regards,
Eric Near Buffalo
Timing an aggressive act to happen alongside Obama’s public attempt to reopen dialogue… How are we supposed to take that?
I extend my hand in friendship and you brag about your new gun?
To anyone looking past their vague comments about peace, Iran’s actions don’t appear altruistic at all.
“Tehran says its nuclear ambitions are limited to the production of energy, and has emphasized its satellite project is entirely peaceful.”
Yes, but technology in and of itself is neither good nor evil, peaceful or otherwise. That is why the same technology that can be used to power hundreds of thousands of homes can also be adapted to destroy hundreds of thousands of homes. The same technologies that can create miracle drugs for cancer can be used to make VX nerve agent.
Personally, I think Iran has the right to pursue technology such as this and peaceful use of nuclear power, and I congratulate them on the achievement. However, these things cannot be taken in isolation – Amidinajad has repeatedly made statements to the effect of ‘Israel should be wiped off the map’, supposed ‘Zionism’ and rants against the west. Despite the fact that he insists he has been taken out of context – read the transcripts; he pretty much says these things outright. Are these to be taken as light banter, idle threats or foreign policy?
He has publicly ranted against retarded people, claimed there are no gay people in Iran etc etc. Treatment of women in their country borders on inhumane – almost caveman-like. People of other religions, particularly the Baha’i faith are brutally put down. In fact almost any minority group in existence over there is persecuted by the Iranian Judiciary and government. Besides all of this, Amidinajad is merely a puppet for Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. And he is on record with even more extreme religious dogmatic views.
The Bush regime’s approach to Iran has been nothing short of despicable. Iran should be respected as a sovereign country with the right to pursue peaceful technology. It is a great achievement for them. However, we shouldn’t get so misty eyed that we disregard some of their outlandish behaviour and commentary on the world stage. With great power comes great responsibility after all.
Astrofiend said;
“He has publicly ranted against retarded people, claimed there are no gay people in Iran etc etc.”
Really this statement is just as offensive as some of Amidinajad misinformed views. The actual compliant of him was against the causes of psychiatric disabilities – if you must – mental illness. He in fact declaration that homosexuality was caused by a kind mental illness.
Surprisingly, Iran does have a disability policy, and most people or both compassionate and protected by law. Islam is compassionate to the disabled
By labelling people as “retarded” is clearly offensive, a term which has no place in our Western society. The term is now considered represents direct discrimination against a vulnerable group who cannot defend itself. If you need ti label people, then the umbrella is intellectual disability.
All the statement says about you just shows is your ignorance and your unfounded opinions based on prejudice and bigotry.
Shame on you!
I just dont like the fact that Iran who hates the jews and the usa sent up a satellite into the air.
As for Nonchalont
“Not good when enemies are getting into the space race and are researching and developing.”
Such mind-numbingly stupid views like this are often perceived as those of an increasingly irrelevant and crumbling empire.
Well what do you are these presumed “enemies” supposed to be doing? This more sounds like you just want to keep space all to yourself, and cannot even bear or consider other countries might achieve technologies equal or better than your own. Would you prefer to see everyone else in the world just follow, cower and worship – venerating all aspects of their new masters?
Dictating your own personal political agendas is no basis of foreign policy. Thank god for the rest of us that at least Hillary Clinton isn’t as ignorant!
“Iran plans several more satellites over the next few years to bolster disaster management programs and strengthen communications networks inside the country.”
Makes good sense to me considering the US point blank refuses access to such technology. Considering the deadly winter earthquake on 26th December 2003, and the recent one on 10th September. Such aims are probably very wise and prudent.
Wouldn’t it be nicer to aid and help Iran in such a quest, or should Iran remain in the stone-age for ever more?
There are many people I would never trust (or sleep soundly because of) if they had a loaded gun. Ditto countries, such as Iran. Their words say it all.
TO: # Nonchalont Says:
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:56 am
‘Not good, not good. They say peaceful purposes, but humans lie. This is a nation that wants to setup their defense and then they will have their offence…..’
My humble request is that why dont you apply the same idea to other nations as well? i.e., US
Wow Salacious – a personal attack based on nothing. What is your axe to grind? Oh wait, I don’t care – suck me.
He used the word ‘retards’ himself you moron. Look it up. The reason I used the word was because he used the word. Perhaps I should have put little apostrophes around the word ‘retards’ to make that blindingly explicit for the slow.
“He in fact declaration that homosexuality was caused by a kind mental illness.”
Exactly – he’s a moron. Enough said. And you’re calling me a bigot? Good one idiot.
“Surprisingly, Iran does have a disability policy, and most people or both compassionate and protected by law.”
Since this sentence makes no sense, I’m going to assume you simply mean Iran has a social welfare policy or equal opportunity policy for disabled people. You use the word ‘surprisingly’, implying that you feel that it is amazing such a country would have such a policy. Who’s the condescending bigot now?
“All the statement says about you just shows is your ignorance and your unfounded opinions based on prejudice and bigotry.
Shame on you!”
You don’t know me from a bar of soap. You claim that I am prejudiced and bigoted and that I have unfounded opinions, yet all of what I said is on the public record for all to see. Drop dead you clown. I support any nation’s quest for technological betterment, and I think it is great that a region of such historic importance in science (as in Persia) is once again throwing their hat in the ring. I simply state that their current leadership is comprised of loose canons to say the least.
Try reading my original post again, but this time not viewing it through your own myopic and distorted little prism of a world view. Then you’ll see that I wasn’t mocking any of the people or groups that you claim I was. And then you’ll feel like and idiot any try to post some reply arguing that my denials are BS etc. And I won’t care.
P.S – see those little red lines that come up under words when you write them in the box? That’s a spell checker. If you right-click on the words, it will fix your errors for you (except for when sentences don’t make sense at all) – just a thought.
“By labelling people as “retarded” is clearly offensive, a term which has no place in our Western society.”
I disagree, I can think of a host of people that I would consider Retarded, as it happens, none are intellectually disabled.
Salacious, your first post is, yet again a model of hypocrisy and a further pollution of what might otherwise be a useful data resource.
“All the statement says about you just shows is your ignorance and your unfounded opinions based on prejudice and bigotry.”
Your own Bigotry is disseminated through out these forums in as thick a scrawl as any vandals graffiti. You repeatedly belittle and slander the United States of America yet when someone here speaks up against another country your dander rises and you strive for the moral high ground with the rapidity of an Evangelist accused of homosexuality.
“Would you prefer to see everyone else in the world just follow, cower and worship – venerating all aspects of their new masters?”
I am guessing here but yes, I believe this is EXACTLY the result that Amidinajad and Ayatollah Khamenei have in mind.
“Such mind-numbingly stupid views like this are often perceived as those of an increasingly irrelevant and crumbling empire.”
Stupid? Good heavens, aren’t you afraid that using the Term Stupid would be offensive to Intellectually Disabled People!? Think of the Connotation! Really, Stupid People appear to prefer the Term “Intellectually Challenged!”
Shame on YOU!
Iran’s response in launching this satellite are justified, especially in saying this is a “step toward justice…” Ahmadinejad might be radical, but he is not stupid. Let’s really consider the official U.S. National Space Policy issued by George W. Bush in October 2006. This says;
“The United States considers space capabilities – including the ground and space segments and supporting links — vital to its national interests,”
“Consistent with this policy, the United States will: preserve its rights, capabilities, and freedom of action in space; dissuade or deter others from either impeding those rights or developing capabilities intended to do so; take those actions necessary to protect its space capabilities; respond to interference; and deny, if necessary, adversaries the use of space capabilities hostile to U.S. national interests.”
Here it is quite offensive declared threat that that US interests comes before the use of space by any other country. Just label them “hostile”, and you can deny anyone’s legitimate right to use space as they wish. (So who is the real aggressor here?)
Astrofiend certainly got one totally correct when he says; “Iran should be respected as a sovereign country with the right to pursue peaceful technology.”
It is pure arrogance to think you can dictate to others – especially as the satellite itself is zero threat to united states territory.
Astrofiend said;
“He used the word ‘retards’ himself you moron.”
Where? Name and show the source.
Silver Thread said; “I disagree, I can think of a host of people that I would consider Retarded, as it happens, none are intellectually disabled.”
Perhaps you should first read the Wikipedia entry on so called “Mental retardation”, under “Alternative terms”
“The term “mental retardation” has itself now acquired some pejorative and shameful connotations over the last few decades due to the use of “retarded” as an insult among younger people. This may in turn have contributed to its replacement with expressions such as “mentally challenged” or “intellectual disability”. and ;
“The phrase intellectual disability is increasingly being used as a synonym for people with significantly below-average cognitive ability.” ; and;
“The American Association on Mental Retardation continued to use the term mental retardation until 2006. In June 2006 its members voted to change the name of the organization to the “American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities,” rejecting the options to become the AAID or AADD. Part of the rationale for the double name was that many members worked with people with pervasive developmental disorders, most of whom are not mentally retarded”
Hence “All the statement says about you just shows is your ignorance and your unfounded opinions based on prejudice and bigotry.” is actually true.
i trust israel WAY LESS than a two bit thief.
good on iran, keep em firin”
I’m leaving work now Salacious, but I’d just like to say that I think you’re a retard.
Actually, before I do – it was so easy to find that it was a joke – I googled ‘Ahmadinejad retarded’, and came up with about a million hits.
Sydney Morning Herald – September 25, 2007
Referring to: Ahmadinejad speaking at Columbia University, New York
Headline: ‘Ahmadinejad’s ‘sick joke’: ‘Iran has no gays’.
Quote:
“In Iran we don’t have homosexuals like in your country,” Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said at Columbia University in response to a question about the recent execution of two gay men there.
“In Iran we do not have this phenomenon,” he continued. “I do not know who has told you we have it.”
Quote:
“Let me tell a joke here,” Ahmadinejad said. “I think the politicians who are after atomic bombs, or testing them, making them, politically they are backward, retarded.”
‘The crowd seemed uncertain how to react. Some applauded that pacifist sentiment, others seemed befuddled by the insensitive use of the word retarded.’
And that is just one of many, many sites that carried the story.
P.S – Salacious, I still think that you’re a bigoted retard.
Astrofiend and Silver Thread, you might like to consider the following;
“Civility and Decorum
Politeness is the top rule here. Of course, we expect to have spirited debates! That’s fine, as long as the people involved extend one another basic respect. Disagreements are inevitable, but even in those situations you must still be nice.
Attack the ideas, not the person(s) presenting them. If you’ve got concerns with what someone is saying, feel free dismantle their arguments, but do not resort to ad hominem or personal attacks.
Personal attacks like your previous statements;
“Oh wait, I don’t care – suck me.”
“Good one idiot.”
“Drop dead you clown”, ec.
Don’t help.
Thanks for you both for invaluable and insightful opinions.
Persian mullahs! Do correct me, if I am wrong.
Ahmadinejad said the satellite was a “step toward justice and peace.”
According to the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the twelfth Imam – Imam Mahdi, the Hidden Imam – is the true supreme leader of that theocracy. Thus, Ayatollah Khomeini was only his representative, aka Imam of the Ummah. When the Mahdi returns (his occultation began in the year 941!! AD), the world will end and the age of JUSTICE and PEACE will be established.
Therefore, a step toward justice and peace means nothing but a step toward the end of the world in the context of Ahmadinejad’s religious dogma. If this satellite is a step toward shiite “justice and peace”, then it is part of the preparation of a nuclear war.
Astrofiend;
I think the press, and now you, might have just misunderstood the nature of the question the Prsident of Iran was answering. He was not talking about any form of disabilities at all. The full question and quote taken from the transcript is as follow;
Mr. Coatsworth (moderator) : “A number of questions have asked about your nuclear program. Why is your government seeking to acquire enriched uranium suitable for nuclear weapons? Will you stop doing so?”
Ahmadinejad: “Our nuclear program, first and foremost, operates within the framework of law, and second, under the inspections of the IAEA, and thirdly, they are completely peaceful. The technology we have is for enrichment below the level of 5 percent level, and any level below 5 percent is solely for providing fuel to power plants. Repeated reports by the IAEA explicitly say that there is no indication that Iran has deviated from the peaceful path of its nuclear program. We’re all well aware that Iran’s nuclear issue is a political issue; it’s not a legal issue.
The International Atomic Energy Organization — Agency has verified that our activities are for peaceful purposes. But there are two or three powers that think that they have the right to monopolize all science and knowledge. And they expect the Iranian people, the Iranian nation, to turn to others to get fuel, to get science, to get knowledge that’s indigenous to itself – to humble itself. And then they would of course refrain from giving it to us too.
So we’re quite clear on what we need. If you have created the fifth generation of atomic bombs and are testing them already, what position are you in to question the peaceful purposes of other people who want nuclear power? We do not believe in nuclear weapons, period. It goes against the whole grain of humanity.
So let me just tell a joke here. I think the politicians who are after atomic bombs or are testing them, making them — politically they are backward, retarded.”
++++++++++++++
I’d interpret this as meaning “delay or hold back in terms of progress “, which most commentators would agree. Furthermore, the statement of his was made in Farsi / Persian and had to be translated as he spoke. Using an on-line interpreter, the Persian word he stated just means ; “rear , behind , back , abaft, tail.”
It might be that the translator may have had difficulty portraying the meaning of what Ahmadinejad.
It would be very unlikely that would have suggested this in connotation with disability at all.
I therefore think your statement that; “He has publicly ranted against retarded people,..” is based on a simple wrong premise. As far as I know and have read, both the Iranian and Islamic culture have great concern for there disabled people. My use of the word “surprisingly”, is because most people in Western society consider that Iranians mistreat their significantly
statistically larger disabled population. Evidence for this seems to be to the contrary. For example, Ahmadinejad said on 5th May 2008 to the Paralympic Committee;
“Man has very high and unlimited potential. Generally speaking, inability is meaningless for man and his power in different fields has yet to be discovered. We believe that man can take control of the whole creation …[and] can keep alive such an idea and hope in people`s hearts and eliminate pessimism and laziness from any society,”
It is agreed, however, his own statements on the non-existence of homosexuality in Iran (and there persecution) cannot be refuted.
Note: I think that is your are to quote others, it might be best to use parenthesis when your actually quoting. Misunderstandings like this can then be avoided.
Note 2: Also the word “retard” is grossly offensive. I can defend myself, but those with such disabilities often don’t have the ability to do so. I suggest you should refrain from using such derogatory words in the future.
dollhopf said:
“According to the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the twelfth Imam – Imam Mahdi, the Hidden Imam – is the true supreme leader of that theocracy. Thus, Ayatollah Khomeini was only his representative, aka Imam of the Ummah. When the Mahdi returns (his occultation began in the year 941!! AD), the world will end and the age of JUSTICE and PEACE will be established.”
Does not the Christian faith also predict the same for the end of the world after Judgement in the final days? And isn’t “justice and peace” the same tenets in the constitutions of most liberal democracies throughout the world – including the U.N.?
For me it is hard to say whether he is really speaking with a “forked-tongue” or being a honest and just saying something to celebrate the achievement.
Note: I think “Omid” name was perhaps appropriately chosen, Considering the meaning of the new American rocket system is named Ares, which after the god of war and bloodlust, .should we then also think; “it is part of the preparation of a nuclear war.”?
it would be nice to have some science content on this page. I’m interested in flight path and mission duration and objectives, re-entry etc.
You folk posting all that stuff above, you’re spoiling this site by getting so far off topic.
I think its great that Iran has a satellite, the ancient Persian astronomers made many astronomical discoveries. I don’t know why the media portrays Iran as “backwards”, its quite a modern country contrary to popular belief. Also the citizens of a country don’t have the same views as the leader, many Iranians are kind people. Iam surprised at the lack of condemnation of Israel, its perfectly fine for Israel to do whatever it wants, it makes me cry that its bombing of Gaza killed 400 children.
Dear Mr. Rasool,
you say that you are surprised at the lack of condemnation of Israel.
You do not need to fear that the behaviour of Israel is not monitored closely.
But also I see the necessity for the State of Israel to react on the endless barrage of thousands of rockets still raining down from the Gaza Strip.
You have so many Islamic Republics installed in the Middle East and Asia – the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, …
With so many islamic republics around, why can’t you accept just one single and unique Jewish State?
Why should I also condemn Israel, when there is also severe evidence that the nuclear and space program of the Iranian theocracy is already preparing for the last and final condemntion of that unique jewish state? Already a thousand times more people and land fell to the Ummah than ever was requested by the jewish people.
“Iran plans several more satellites over the next few years to bolster disaster management programs and strengthen communications networks inside the country.”
Disaster is what Ahmadinejad is indeed preparing. He spoke at the United Nations in October 2005. At the conclusion of his discourse, he called upon Allah to quickly usher in the re-emergence of the Twelfth or Hidden Imam, the Mahdi.
Now there is more “Hope” for his return! And with the help of Ahmadinejad’s version of Allah, those satellites might soon guide fire and sword to establish final justice and peace.
(how I like the flowery language of the Middle East)
Well, the islamic revolution of Iran defines itself as a step toward the islamic world revolution. In that future world a handful of square miles of an indepentent State of Israel for Jews would never be tolerated.
Therefore, the new capabilities of the Islamic Republic of Iran will generate new abilities of antimissile defense.
My sincerest congratulations to the people of Iran on launching the satellite Omid and pushing on further for a higher culture to help your country. And to all the haters and fear-mongers who would try to keep Iran in primitive tecnology: You can sit and cry in your soiled panties.
Salacious B. Crumb Said to Nonchalont;
“Such mind-numbingly stupid views like this are often perceived as those of an increasingly irrelevant and crumbling empire.”
Salacious B. Crumb Said to Astrofiend;
“All the statement says about you just shows is your ignorance and your unfounded opinions based on prejudice and bigotry”
Then Salacious B. Crumb Quoted Forum Regulations;
“Civility and Decorum
Politeness is the top rule here. Of course, we expect to have spirited debates! That’s fine, as long as the people involved extend one another basic respect. Disagreements are inevitable, but even in those situations you must still be nice.
Attack the ideas, not the person(s) presenting them. If you’ve got concerns with what someone is saying, feel free dismantle their arguments, but do not resort to ad hominem or personal attacks.
I could define the term Hypocrite for you but you have done so quite succinctly. You are using the guideline the way a drunk man uses a lamp post, for support rather than illumination and the sanctimonious nature of your posts is painfully evident. You twice insulted the intelligence of other posters just within this thread, and then attempted to assume the role of the victimized party.
“A long, long time ago, in a country far, far away… there was a young girl who had her eyes fixed on the twinkling stars of the night skies over Tehran. Back then the air was not so polluted and you could see many stars in the night skies. Summer time, when they would set up the beds outside on the balcony to sleep, she would lay in her bed and look deep into the mysterious darkness of the universe and think to herself, What’s out there? Is someone out there awake in her bed, and gazing at her in the night sky? Will she ever find her… See her… Will she fly out there and float in the wonderful, boundless freedom of space?” – Anousheh Ansari
Dear Mik! Yes, reach for the stars. And therefore refuse to wear the headscarfs the mullah offers to you.
Silver Thread
Anyone who would use slurs to describe a group as “”retarded or “retarded people” is totally offensive to me and disabled people in general. Anyone who thinks they can defend such a point are without any doubt both prejudice and bigoted.
This is especially true, when the person (Ahmadinejad) is quoting was not suggesting that at all. While there are a million hits for the words, few (if any) content that he was being actually being discriminatory.
As for;
“Such mind-numbingly stupid views like this are often perceived as those of an increasingly irrelevant and crumbling empire.”
This was in specific response to Nochalont, who said in his post that; “Not good when enemies are getting into the space race and are researching and developing”.
Here I was attacking the idea and not the person, and to suggest otherwise clear means you haven’t comprehended what I have said.
If you read carefully I have never attacked anyone directly, unlike Astrofiend who think it is alright to out and out call others names like calling me a “bigoted retard” (Astrofiend) and others like “Oh wait, I don’t care – suck me.”, “Good one idiot.” and “Drop dead you clown” are direct personal attacks.
I am in the end entitled to my opinion and beliefs.
Hmmm – as far as I’m aware Salacious, such rules only apply to the forum – not the comments page. Anyway – I’m over it. You made a personal attack on me for using the word ‘retarded’ in an insensitive way when it is obvious to any reasonable person that I was simply quoting, paraphrasing or simply just using the same word as he did. The president obviously used it in an insensitive way, which is what I was critisising in the first place.
Obviously you feel strongly about this matter, so I’ll take that to mean that you either have an unusually accute sense of injustice, a family member or friend who is afflicted with some sort of mental handicap, or you just want to pick a fight. I don’t care which really because I don’t know you, but if by my original use of the word ‘retarded’ even in the context intended, I offended you, then I’m sorry for that.
As for what transpired after that – I’m not sorry in the least. In case you haven’t noticed, my comments are only scathing towards those who come in here with an attitude, some sort of superiority complex or those who direct personal attacks against people on the forum or contributers. Doubly so to those who attack me personally, and so much the more to those who attack me completely unnecessarily . So you copped it. And I’m over it. And I simply don’t care what you think about the situation anymore – I have a short memory for such things, and don’t carry grudges. The End. (Hopefully)
Astrofiend
Agreed. I don’t carry grudges, either.
To let you know, I do help organise and advocate for a group known as the “Inner Western Circle Inc”, whose main aims are to help those with moderate to severe intellectual or developmental disabilities. We aim to teach social skills through activities such as music and dance, and giving them the ability to develop friendships with others having similar difficulties.
Such people and their carers are so marginalised that their place among the community is significantly diminished, and derogatory terms certainly doesn’t help.
I think you find, though the press did beat this up, that Ahmadinejad words were just lost in translation.
From your tone of your last post, I’m happy that you at least see my point of view, and agree to let the matter rest. Thanks anyway for the reasonable response.
Dear Mr Dollhopf
I do accept the existence of a Jewish state, I think that Israel does have a right to exist but war is not the answer. There are many alternatives, also I wasn’t personally referring to anyone when I said Israel wasn’t condemned as much as it should have been.
This Satellite is useless, unless it is playing the massage to Harry Manback on an endless loop.
Salacious B. Crumb Says:
February 5th, 2009 at 6:12 am
Fair enough…
Guess UN sanctions are always a good thing. I mean, India developed their own propulsion systems and sattelites since it was facing sanctions and the only way to go is INDIGENOUS.
Iran also sprung up due to this. But, I’m not happy with this launch though. I’m pretty sure they got something bad up their sleeves. Don’t know why… lately, I feel a dangerous shiver whenever I hear “Islamic republic” in a nation’s name.
There’s atleast 75% possibility that a “Islamic Republic” kinda country breeds terrorism.
Eg: Pakistan – Terror networks exist.
Afghanistan – Terror networks exist.
Palestine – Terror networks exist.
Saudi Arabia – Terror networks exist.
Bangladesh – Terror networks exist.
Iraq – Terror networks exist.
etc….
Hope Iran takes the initiative and be true to its president’s words about using Space for Peace. Cuz the last thing we need is terrorists in Zero-G. ^_^