Iran to Launch Two More Rockets Into Space, Ahmadinejad Says

Source: Bloomberg News

Feb. 11 (Bloomberg) -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, speaking to crowds celebrating the 29th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, said Iran plans to fire two more rockets into space as part of a nascent satellite program.

The rockets will follow the launch of a device earlier this month, which prompted international criticism. Ahmadinejad said the rocket trials will precede the dispatch of a ``homemade'' satellite into orbit next summer, Iran's official Islamic Republic News Agency reported today.

--
Iran's rocket-launching activity has caused consternation among the U.S. and its allies, which are formulating a third round of United Nations Security Council sanctions because of Iran's disputed nuclear program. Ahmadinejad today reiterated his country's right to produce nuclear fuel.

The Iranian president touted the satellite program's scientific value as essential to technological progress. Iran's new space center will be used to launch the Omid satellite, the first such probe designed and built by Iranian scientists.

The U.S. State Department on Feb. 5 said that Iran's space center is a ``troubling development'' because it employs the same technology as that used for making long-range ballistic missiles. Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov, speaking yesterday in Munich, said the initial rocket launch ``doesn't add to global confidence'' on Iran's intentions.



Read more: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601104&sid=aYygaTyukFuk&refer=mideast

Now Iran can't launch things into space?

Are we going to keep them from using the internal combustion engine next, since they can use that to drive tanks and soldiers around?

I thought no one nation owned 'space'. I guess I was wrong...

Seems any development they attain is a "threat" to someone else.

What bullcrap.

Why should they allow themselves to be oppressed?