Iran satellite launch fails, a blow to space programme

Iran said it “successfully” launched a satellite but failed to put it into orbit, in a blow to its space programme that the US alleges is a cover for missile development. The attempted launch of the Zafar -- “Victory” in Farsi -- comes days before the 41st anniversary of the Islamic Revolution and crucial parliamentary elections in Iran. On Sunday, it launched the Zafar satellite at 7:15 pm (1545 GMT) but it fell short of reaching orbit, the defence ministry said. A ministry spokesman said initially that the satellite was “successfully” launched and went “90 percent of the way”, reaching an altitude of 540 kilometres. Iran on Sunday also unveiled a new a short-range ballistic missile and its “new generation” of engines designed to put satellites into space. The Revolutionary Guards’ website said the Raad-500 missile was equipped with new Zoheir engines made of composite materials that make them lighter than previous steel models.

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