Article

2019-08-30 Syria-Lebanon-Iran

OOPS! Satellite photos show burning Iran space center launch pad

Oops! Allan is not pleased
[Yahoo] A rocket at an Iranian space center that was to conduct a satellite launch criticized by the U.S. apparently exploded on its launch pad Thursday, satellite images show, suggesting the Islamic Republic suffered its third failed launch this year alone.

State media and officials did not immediately acknowledge the incident at the Imam Khomeini Space Center in Iran's Semnan province.

However, satellite images by Planet Labs Inc. showed a black plume of smoke rising above a launch pad there, with what appeared to be the charred remains of a rocket and its launch stand. In previous days, satellite images had shown officials there repainted the launch pad blue.

On Thursday morning, half of that paint apparently had been burned away.

"Whatever happened there, it blew up and you're looking at the smoldering remains of what used to be there," said David Schmerler, a senior research associate at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies.

Schmerler told The Associated Press that the images of the space center suggested that the rocket either exploded during ignition or possibly briefly lifted off before crashing back down on the pad. Water runoff from the pad, likely from trying to extinguish the blaze, could be seen along with a host of vehicles parked nearby.

NPR first reported on the satellite images of the apparent failed launch at the space center, some 240 kilometers (150 miles) southeast of Iran's capital, Tehran.

OOPS!
[Twitter]

Well, looks like an incident during launch prep and not a launch failure, but fuel ops gone wrong, UDHM caught fire/exploded, as I think you can see still see what is left of the transporter/erector/fuel truck and you don't leave that on the pad during launch... http://t.co/wQUlVQoCmG pic.twitter.com/cQW63xHlOG
— DutchSpace (@DutchSpace) August 29, 2019

Multiple satellites capture failed #Iran satellite launch at Imam Khomeini Spaceport. Images via @maxar and @planetlabs (analysis by @DaveSchmerler @MIIS) pic.twitter.com/FG85bR6PzE
— Christoph Koettl (@ckoettl) August 29, 2019

Posted by Frank G 2019-08-30 00:00|| || Front Page|| [11133 views ] Top
File under: Govt of Iran

#1 Been there, seen it, done it.

Posted by Procopius2k 2019-08-30 07:34|| 2019-08-30 07:34|| Front Page Top

#2 "It is alright, gentlemen ! The spark capacitors were not halaal. The contractor has been dealt with. These new ones are from the Ottoman. Set it up again, Haamid !"

Posted by Dron66046 2019-08-30 08:24|| 2019-08-30 08:24|| Front Page Top

#3 Are Hollyweird types tweeting the pictures and moaning about the environmental angle?

Posted by M. Murcek 2019-08-30 12:18|| 2019-08-30 12:18|| Front Page Top

#4 “The United States of America was not involved in the catastrophic accident during final launch preparations for the Safir SLV Launch at Semnan Launch Site One in Iran. I wish Iran best wishes and good luck in determining what happened at Site One,”

Trump trolls better than anyone.

Posted by The peanut gallery 2019-08-30 17:23|| 2019-08-30 17:23|| Front Page Top

#5 Trump's Keyhole resolution tweet of the launch pad

Posted by 3dc 2019-08-30 17:36|| 2019-08-30 17:36|| Front Page Top

#6 Local press: Successful test! Fearsome secret weapon to be used against Zionist launch sites!

Posted by Thumper Shealet4134 2019-08-30 18:13|| 2019-08-30 18:13|| Front Page Top

#7 C'mon, it's not rocket science... oh, wait, it is.

Posted by Glenmore 2019-08-30 18:42|| 2019-08-30 18:42|| Front Page Top

#8 Glenmore for the gold. Nice.

Posted by Lex 2019-08-30 19:17|| 2019-08-30 19:17|| Front Page Top

#9 Likely sat that took the photo

Posted by 3dc 2019-08-30 21:34|| 2019-08-30 21:34|| Front Page Top

#10 "I wish Iran best wishes and good luck in determining what happened at Site One,”

I know on the surface it sounds like a gracious thing to say, but I can't help but reading that last clause sarcastically as "good luck in finding out what happened, bitches!"

Posted by SteveS 2019-08-30 21:46|| 2019-08-30 21:46|| Front Page Top

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