Islamic State's 'Source Of Pride' Not Very Advanced, US Says

For better or worse, there's a new space power in the world. Iran launched its first satellite into low-Earth orbit Monday evening, marking the 30th anniversary of the 1979 overthrow of the Shah and the start of the Islamic Revolution.

Reuters reports Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called the satellite a "source of pride" for the belligerent state. The small telecommunications satellite -- dubbed Omid, or "Hope" -- has apparently already completed its primary mission... to transmit a message from Ahmadinejad.

State-run media called Omid "another achievement for Iranian scientists under sanctions," and stressed the satellite was constructed entirely by Iranian technicians.

Omid is the first of many satellites Tehran plans to launch in the future, said Iranian Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar... who added Iran aims to establish a full-fledged space program.

Officials in the United States confirmed the launch, pointedly noting Omid didn't represent "highly advanced technology" by any means. The greater concern to the West is the Safir long-range rocket used to launch the satellite.

As ANN reported, Iran first launched the two-stage rocket in August 2008. Though Iranian officials called that test firing a success, US military intelligence said the rocket's second stage went out of control. Monday's launch, if nothing else, shows that problem has apparently been solved.

In addition to commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Islamic revolution, Monday's launch also came two days before representatives from the US, Russia, Britain, France, Germany and China are scheduled to meet in Frankfurt, to discuss the threat posed by Iran's nuclear ambitions.

FMI: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ir.html