U.S. slams Iran for satellite launch
By siliconindia   |   Wednesday, 04 February 2009, 20:02 IST   |    3 Comments
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U.S. slams Iran for satellite launch
Washington: Iran's first domestically-produced satellite launch has aroused fresh concerns in U.S. about the Iran's nuclear ambitions. U.S. State Department spokesman Robert Wood says it sets a dangerous precedent. "Developing a space launch vehicle that could put a satellite into orbit could possibly lead to the development of a ballistic missile system, so that's of great concern to us," he said. The country is not alone in raising concerns on the issue, as even France and Britain are seen to be speculating over the nuclear issue. The West has been trying to stop Iran's nuclear enrichment program with no success and the satellite's launch has raised the stakes for the Group of Six Nations attempting to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions. Iran's satellite, called Omid, or hope in Farsi, was launched late Monday after President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad gave the order to proceed. The satellite, intended for telecommunications and research activities, soon reached its orbit and made contact with ground stations. Ahmadinejad announced on Tuesday that Iran has taken a significant step in its space program. "Dear Iranians, your children have put the first indigenous satellite into orbit," Ahmadinejad said after the launch, which occurred during the Ten-Day celebrations held to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. "With this launch, the Islamic Republic of Iran has officially achieved a presence in space," he said. The launch was intended to be a message of peace and friendship to the world, Ahmadinejad stated.

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