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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| US official: Iranian satellite launch was 'a dramatic failure' |
| 2008-08-19 |
| Iran's attempt to launch a dummy satellite into orbit earlier this week was a "dramatic failure" that fell far short of the country's assertions of success, Reuters quoted a US official as saying on Tuesday. "The vehicle failed shortly after liftoff and in no way reached its intended position. It could be characterized as a dramatic failure." On Sunday, Iran said it had put a dummy satellite into orbit on a home-grown rocket for the first time, using a technology that could also be used for launching weapons. Iranian television showed the rocket on its launch pad, but did not show the actual lift-off. "The failed launch shows that the purported Iranian space program is in its nascent stages at best - they have a long way to go," the US official said. On Monday, Israeli analysts said the Iranian self-professed progress was no reason for immediate panic but was still a matter of concern - for Europe more than for Israel. The main achievement of the Iranians was the development of a multi-stage missile, which uses several stages of burning fuel to increase its range. Israel, analysts said, has already been under threat of Iranian long-range ballistic missiles since the development of the Shihab 3 missile. Therefore, the Iranian report did not signify an increase in the threat to Israel, the analysts asserted, stressing that European countries were now directly threatened by the Iranian missiles' reach. |
| Posted by:tu3031 |
| #3 Was the Airborne Laser in any line of sight path to this rocket? |
| Posted by: 3dc 2008-08-19 22:08 |
| #2 |
| Posted by: DarthVader 2008-08-19 17:07 |
| #1 Iran's flight test of a space launch vehicle failed Aug. 17, according to radar tracking by a U.S. Navy destroyer and infrared data from U.S. Air Force Defense Support Program (DSP) missile warning spacecraft. Key data on the failure were provided by the USS Russell, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer patrolling the Persian Gulf. Other U.S. intelligence assets gave the Russell and missile warning satellite system advanced notice of the test, enabling extra preparation for tracking its outcome. The Russell also was one of three destroyers involved in the final radar tracking of the derelict National Reconnaissance Office USA 193 intelligence satellite that was destroyed by a Standard Missile-3 fired by another destroyer in the Persian Gulf group. Although Iranian television views of the night launch of the Safir show a successful liftoff and initial climbout, radar data from the Russell and DSP infrared data show the vehicle went out of control at high altitude, never completing its ascent profile. More than one DSP is used to monitor that region of the Middle East and it is likely data from the Iranian launch obtained from at least two DSPs are being analyzed. U.S. signal intelligence and imaging spacecraft also monitored preparations for the launch. Even in failure, the test is still important because it indicates Iran is continuing to develop a space launch booster with propulsion and guidance technologies equally applicable to an intercontinental ballistic missile. |
| Posted by: tu3031 2008-08-19 14:37 |