Fourth Consecutive Time Iran Satellite Fails to Reach Orbit

Fourth consecutive times, Iran failed in its mission to launch a satellite. Iran's Zafar (Victory) ` satellite is an imaging satellite designed for dual-purpose communication and remote sensing mission. It was intended to gather information on natural disasters and agricultural knowledge, and collect geographic imagery and data to analyze earthquakes.

 It was launched by the ‘Simorgh’, a launch vehicle from Imam Khomeini Spaceport in Semnan Province. Iran postponed the dispatch of Zafar on February 8, referring to the need for making more arrangements without offering further details.

Zafar's launch coincided with the event concurs with the celebration of the commemoration of the Islamic Revolution, when Iran usually unveils new missiles and technologies, including accomplishments in its atomic program. 

American authorities state they dread long-range ballistic technology utilized to place satellites into space could likewise be used for launching atomic warheads. 

In the response, Tehran says it has never sought after the advancement of atomic weapons and its administrative rulers state its missile program is exclusively defensive.

On Sunday, Iran presented a new short-range missile named Raad-500 in Farsi called 'Thunder' and launched a satellite called 'Zafar' (Victory), which was unsuccessful in reaching orbit.

Iranian Minister of Information and Communications Technology, Javad Azari-Jahromi, stated later in the day that the satellite launch didn't go as it was planned.

He added that he wished to give everyone good news; however, once in a while, life doesn't go how we need it to."

As per NASA, no Iranian satellite has entered orbit since Fajr, which was launched in February 2015. Omid (Hope), the first satellite, was also sent on February 2, 2009, by a rocket named Safir (Ambassador). In 2019 Iran propelled Payam (Message), another satellite that likewise failed to enter Earth's orbit.

Washington reimposed sanctions on Iran in 2018 after Donald Trump pulled the US out of the 2015 atomic deal between Tehran and six other world powers.

Under that agreement, Tehran had to control its atomic program in return for the lifting of international penalties.

However, President Trump stated that the deal was defective because it was not durable; it didn't address Iran's missile program and did exclude Iran's intruding in nearby nations.

Article Credit: The National/ BBC

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