Appear To Show That A Rocket Exploded During Launch Attempt

Satellite images appear to suggest that a rocket exploded on a launch pad in Iran during that country's attempt to boost a satellite into orbit.

Fox News reports that that this would be the third failed launch attempt by the Islamic Republic this year.

The images from Planet Labs Inc. via the Middlebury Institute of International Studies show black and grey smoke billowing from the launch site. David Schmerler, a senior research associate at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, said that the rocket either exploded during ignition of the main engine, or it lifted off briefly and fell back onto the launch pad.

Earlier this year, Iran had announced that it planned to launch three satellites this year. Two were to intended to conduct remote sensing work, while one was for telecommunications services. The failed launch Thursday was reportedly of the Nahid-1 telecommunications satellite, which would have been in orbit for about 75 days.

State media and Iranian officials did not immediately acknowledge the incident, which occurred at the Imam Khomeini Space Center, located about 150 miles southeast of Tehran.

(Image from Planet Labs Inc. via Middlebury Institute of International Studies)

FMI: Source report