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Iran tests rocket for future satellite launch By The Associated Press TEHRAN - Iran has test-launched a rocket it plans to use to carry a research satellite into orbit, state television reported yesterday. Saturday's test of the two-stage rocket, called the Safir-e Omid, or Ambassador of Peace, was successful, state TV said, broadcasting images of the nighttime launch. Advertisement The rocket released equipment that beamed flight data back to ground control, said Reza Taghipoor, the head of Iran's Space Agency, in a live television interview. Iran has long held the goal of developing a space program. In 2005, it launched its first commercial satellite on a Russian rocket in a joint project with Moscow, which appears to be the main partner in transferring space technology to Iran. Iran first tested a rocket it said was capable of delivering a satellite in February, saying that trial was also successful. It said then that it planned two more test launches before attempting to put its first domestically built satellite into orbit. The country's fledgling space program, like its nuclear program, has provoked unease abroad. The same technology used to put satellites into space can also be used to deliver warheads. The United States called the Feb. 4 launch "just another troubling development," saying it was a cause for concern about Iran's continuing development of medium- and long-range missiles. Despite the anxiety over Iran's space program, it is not exactly clear how developed it is. Iran has said it wants to put its own satellites into orbit to monitor natural disasters in the earthquake-prone nation and improve its telecommunications. Iranian officials also point to America's use of satellites to monitor Afghanistan and Iraq, and say they need similar abilities for their security. Iran hopes to launch four more satellites by 2010, the government has said. Iran also announced on Sunday that it had extended the range of its military aircraft to just over 1,800 miles (3,000 kilometers) without refueling - which means they could reach Israel and return home in one flight. The television report, which quoted Iranian Air Force chief Gen. Ahmad Mighani, did not specify what kind of aircraft or how the range was extended. Such a feat could be accomplished, however, by adding extra fuel tanks to the plane, which are dropped when empty. Bookmark to del.icio.us   A second chance Parents shocked to see their baby breathing moments before she was to be buried. Kafka the Zionist Remnants of Kafka's estate found in T.A. raise questions of his belief in Zionism.

Read & React Iran claims its new warplanes can reach Israel without refueling Responses: 219 Livni helps get Israeli ID card for daughter of top Palestinian official Responses: 52 Egypt to Hamas: Stop blocking Shalit deal Responses: 29 Editorial: Israel must do what it can to stay on Fatah's good side Responses: 26 Akiva Eldar: Israel can't survive on just military strength Responses: 27 Itamar Rabinovitch: Is Russia becoming the Iran of Europe? Responses: 26 More Headlines 23:45 Report: Syria test fires series of long-range missiles 01:20 Security officials voice mixed reactions to Iranian satellite launch 20:52 Israel publishes names of 199 Palestinian prisoners slated for release 01:06 Baby pronunced dead comes back to life minutes before burial 00:06 From Australia to Israel, on a footballing peace mission 22:38 Israel Factor: Panel doesn't worry about Obama on Israel-Palestine 00:28 IDF commander kept in post 3 months after accused of raping mentally challenged volunteer 17:21 Russian troops begin withdrawing from Georgia 23:47 IDF magazine: Soon wounded soldiers will be evacuated by unmanned vehicles 14:39 'Kafka's lifelong dream was to make aliyah' 19:40 In village with no power, Bedouin family fights to keep baby's respirator working 17:46 IDF troops foil smuggling of illicit drugs from Lebanon 21:32 Disabled Israeli turtle uses skateboard to get around Previous Editions Select Day 18 aug 17 aug 15 aug 14 aug 13 aug 12 aug 11 aug 10 aug 08 aug 07 aug 06 aug 05 aug

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