TEHRAN, Sept 14: Iran on Saturday blasted a new research satellite into orbit, state media said, in the latest such development for an aerospace programme that has long faced Western criticism.
"The Chamran-1 research satellite was successfully launched and put into orbit by the Ghaem-100 carrier," state television said.
The satellite, which weighs around 60 kilograms (132 pounds), is designed to test hardware and software systems for orbital manoeuvre technology, the TV report said.
The device was designed and built by Iranian Electronics Industries affiliated with the defence ministry, state TV said.
Western governments including the United States have repeatedly warned Iran against such launches, saying the same technology can be used for ballistic missiles, including ones designed to deliver a nuclear warhead.
Iran has countered that it is not seeking nuclear weapons and that its satellite and rocket launches are for civil or defence purposes only. —AFP
