Iran launched its first self-created satellite

This morning, Iran successfully launched its first satellite built by the country called Omid (Hope) into orbit, designed for research and telecommunications purposes.

Safir-2 missiles are used to push Iran's Omid satellite.Photo: AFP.

Local television called the event "another achievement of embargoed Iranian scientists". Western countries are enforcing the embargo, accusing the Muslim nation of conspiring to build a nuclear bomb, which Tehran strongly rejects.

Omid satellites are brought into orbit by full Safir-2 missiles and this event is anticipated. The launch coincided with the time when Iran celebrated 30 years of the Islamic revolution. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced the launch of the satellite aim to popularize "monotheism, peace and justice" in the world.

Meanwhile, this event may cause the West to worry that the related technology is used to make long-range missiles with nuclear warheads. Last August, Tehran announced a successful launch of a rocket capable of pushing its first domestic satellite. Then they launched missiles at low orbit, preparing for the launch of the satellite this morning.

The Omid satellite also marks the opening of Iran's new space center in a secret location on the desert, including underground command posts and satellite launchers. The White House calls Iran's satellite launch "unsuitable" and warns it will make the Muslim nation more isolated from the international community.

In October 2005, a Russian rocket launched Iran's first satellite named Sina-1 into orbit, serving telecommunications and photography.