Iran Launches Rocket, Opens Space Station

‘Iran Launches Rocket’ Brian England Global Political Relations 2/7/08
Iran is now part of 11 countries that have the capability to be in space. They launched a rocket that is to be strictly a research satellite. This is supposedly Iran’s first rocket into space, but people are doubtful because of similar talk of rockets in the past. Many wish the elevation of the satellite was disclosed, but it was not. This would have given us some sort of severity of the rocket. Lowest orbit for radio is 100-300 miles off Earth’s surface, and 250-1,200 miles is for communication, global positioning, and weather. There is also an underground space center that makes people question what they are hiding underground.
Nuclear arms are a war threat to the world that has stayed in the back of our minds since 9/11. I know that Iran is not responsible for those actions, but global hostility is still apparent because of competition with power. Iran’s progress in space should not be taken away from them, but secretes of their intentions are not helping anyone sleep. Talk is making people suspicious that the space center that was opened right before the launch by Tehran could be a cover for nuclear weapons, and their lust (like any other country) for power and respect. Technology like satellites and rockets progresses quickly. Getting it up in orbit is the hard part, tweaking flight intentions don’t seem like it would be as difficult. And now that we know they have a launch pad, countries and leaders must be cautious by monitoring their possible ‘rocket front’.