Omid” launched as Iran marks 30th years of revolution Iran sends first home-made satellite into orbit

Tthe satellite was carried into orbit by the Iranian-made satellite carrier Safir (File)

TEHRAN (Agencies)

Iran launched its first home-made satellite into orbit on Tuesday using a Safir-2 rocket, state television reported, displaying progress in space technology at a time of persistent international tension over its nuclear program.

"In another achievement for Iranian scientists under sanctions, Iran launched its first home-made Hope satellite into orbit," said the television.

" In another achievement for Iranian scientists under sanctions, Iran launched its first home-made Hope satellite into orbit," said the television " Iranian state TV The Omid (Hope) satellite, launched as Iran marks the 30th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution this month, was designed for research and telecommunications, said the television, which carried footage of the launch. "Omid will carry experimental satellite control devices, communications, digital equipment, power supply systems," the television said.

Safir is about 22 meters long, with a diameter of 1.25 meters "It has been designed for gathering information and for testing equipment." It said the satellite was carried into orbit by the Iranian-made satellite carrier Safir. The long-range ballistic technology used to put satellites into space can also be used for launching weapons, although Iran says it has no plans to do so. "All parts of Safir-2 Omid have been made by Iranian scientists," state news agency, IRNA said. Iran is under U.N. sanctions because the United States and other Western powers suspect Tehran is amassing the capability to produce nuclear weapons. Tehran says its nuclear ambitions are limited to the peaceful generation of electricity to meet the demands of its economy. The state television broadcast said Omid would return to earth after orbiting for one to three months. Safir is about 22 meters (72 feet) long, with a diameter of 1.25 meters (a little over four feet) and weighing more than 26 tons. Iran's most powerful military missile, the Shahab-3, has a diameter of 1.30 meters and measures 17 meters in length. In August when the Safir-2 was launched, media reports had initially claimed that the rocket had carried Omid (Hope) but this was later denied by officials who said only a test satellite had gone up. Iran already had a satellite in orbit but the Sina-1 was launched by a Russian rocket in 2005, it said.