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Iran says first space tracking center launched
13:57 - 09.06.13
Iran said Sunday that it set up its first space tracking center to
monitor objects passing in orbit overhead, according to Fox News.
Defense Minister Gen. Ahmad Vahidi said the center was for Iran's
space-related security but that Tehran would also share the acquired
data with other countries, the official IRNA news agency reported. The
report said President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was present at the
inauguration of the center located near the town of Delijan, some 125
miles south of Tehran.
Iran frequently announces technological breakthroughs that cannot be
independently verified. It has long pursued space ambitions aimed at
putting its own satellite into orbit as well as a manned space flight.
"The base is aimed at securing the country's space facilities and
monitoring space objects especially satellites that pass overhead,"
Vahidi was quoted as saying.
The country has nine command and control ground stations for its space
program including one in Syria, the country's main Arab regional ally.
The rest are located mainly in the central and southern parts of the
country.
Vahidi said the Delijan center used radar, electro-optic and radio tracking.
Iran has said it wants to put its own satellites into orbit to monitor
natural disasters in the earthquake-prone nation, improve
telecommunications and expand military surveillance in the region. The
US and its allies worry that the same technology could also be used to
develop long-range missiles.
In one of its most recent high-profile space announcements, Iran said
in February that it send a monkey into space.
Armenian News - Tert.am
13:57 - 09.06.13
Iran said Sunday that it set up its first space tracking center to
monitor objects passing in orbit overhead, according to Fox News.
Defense Minister Gen. Ahmad Vahidi said the center was for Iran's
space-related security but that Tehran would also share the acquired
data with other countries, the official IRNA news agency reported. The
report said President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was present at the
inauguration of the center located near the town of Delijan, some 125
miles south of Tehran.
Iran frequently announces technological breakthroughs that cannot be
independently verified. It has long pursued space ambitions aimed at
putting its own satellite into orbit as well as a manned space flight.
"The base is aimed at securing the country's space facilities and
monitoring space objects especially satellites that pass overhead,"
Vahidi was quoted as saying.
The country has nine command and control ground stations for its space
program including one in Syria, the country's main Arab regional ally.
The rest are located mainly in the central and southern parts of the
country.
Vahidi said the Delijan center used radar, electro-optic and radio tracking.
Iran has said it wants to put its own satellites into orbit to monitor
natural disasters in the earthquake-prone nation, improve
telecommunications and expand military surveillance in the region. The
US and its allies worry that the same technology could also be used to
develop long-range missiles.
In one of its most recent high-profile space announcements, Iran said
in February that it send a monkey into space.
Armenian News - Tert.am