Iran said on Tuesday (3rd February) that, it had for the first time launched an indigenously made satellite into orbit. The state TV showed footage of a rocket blasting off from a launch-pad and moving towards the space.

 

The research satellite, Omid (Hope) is designed for research and telecommunications, state television said. It was launched to mark the 30th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution to be celebrated this month.

 

Iran hailed the launch of Omid as a major progress in its space technology. But Analysts said the move is likely to worry countries like USA, Israel and other states in the Middle East.

 

Though Tehran denied any military plan behind the launch, the long-range ballistic technology used to put satellites into orbit can also be used for launching weapons. This could threaten the balance of power in the Middle East.

 

The event comes ahead of a meeting on Wednesday (4th February) by senior officials from six world powers - the United States, Russia, Britain, France, Germany and China - to discuss the nuclear row with Iran.