Iran: Tehran launches three spacecraft

Iran launches satellite rocket to send three spacecraft

A3618026 AAE3 488E A075 ABBB253F085D Space, Iran, ROCKETS, TEHRAN

Iran has used a satellite-launched missile to send three reconnaissance devices into space, a Pentagon spokesman said today, without elaborating on whether the rocket was launched.

Iran, which has one of the largest missile programs in the Middle East, has failed several times to launch satellites in recent years due to technical issues.

Spokesman Ahmad Hosseini said the Simorgh satellite-carrying rocket launched three research devices at an altitude of 470 km.

"The research goals set for this launch have been achieved," Hosseini said in a statement broadcast on state television. "This was done as a preliminary launch .. God willing, we will have a functional launch soon."

Iranian state television broadcast footage of what he said was the firing of a rocket.

The United States has criticized Iran for launching satellite satellites, arguing that long-range ballistic technology used to launch satellites could also be used to launch nuclear warheads.

Tehran denies the move is a pretext for developing ballistic missiles.

Source: RES-EAP