spacetoday.net: Report: Iran launches rocket into space

Report: Iran launches rocket into space

Posted: Sun, Feb 25, 2007, 3:35 PM ET (2035 GMT)
The Iranian media reported Sunday that the country launched a rocket into space, although one that apparently did not place a satellite into orbit. Few details about the launch, announced Sunday, were released by Iranian sources. There was some initial confusion about whether the rocket placed a satellite into orbit, but later reports indicated this was only a sounding rocket launch to an altitude of approximately 150 kilometers. Iran has openly talked about developing a launcher capable of placing small satellites, for research or reconnaissance purposes, into low Earth orbit, but has yet to do so. The launch also comes at a time of heightened tensions with the United States over plans by Iran to develop the capability to enrich uranium for nuclear weapons.