Sunday, within few hours, Iran revealed a new ballistic missile and launches a domestically-built satellite, however, it did not succeed to reach the orbit.
The satellite was launched in the southeast of the capital Tehran about 230 Km, at Imam Khomeini spaceport at 7:15 p.m. local time. State television reported that a minor rocket, however, could not put the Zafar 1 communication satellite into the flight path due to its low speed.
The spokesperson for the defense ministry, Ahmad Hosseini told the reporters, “Stage-1 and stage-2 motors of the carrier functioned properly and the satellite was successfully detached from its carrier, but at the end of its path it did not reach the required speed for being put in the orbit”.
The satellite program of the Iran is declared by the US as “provocation”, which it aims to utilize as a means for scientific observation.
Muhammad Javed Axari Jahromi, the telecommunications minister admitted failure as he posted on twitter “failure happened” further “But We’re UNSTOPPABLE! We have more Upcoming Great Iranian Satellites!”.
The elite Islamic revolutionary guards corps (IRGC), earlier on Sunday, revealed a unique ballistic missile which it claimed was empowered by the latest engines intended to send satellites into the orbit. The declaration came following the 41st anniversary of the Islamic revolution of 1979, an event more often than not used by Iran to exhibited technological advancement for the armed forces. The state television reported, “the new short-range ballistic missile – dubbed the Raad-500 – can reach up to 500km (310 miles)”. This is about 200 km better than the feteh-110 ballistic ground to ground missile first displayed in 2002 and heavier than the new missile.
According to the IRGC, the Raad-500 is designed with the latest Zoheir engines and made up of lighter material than old steel models. The guard also stated that the latest missile engines are designed with the same material but with a “movable nozzle” to reach the space. The technology is to increase the accuracy of missile to hit the targets. The state television reported, “IRGC commander Hossein Salami unveiled the missile and engines alongside the force’s aerospace chief General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, in an unknown location”.
Salami stated that the movable nozzle enabled the engines “maneuverability beyond the atmosphere”. He added, the latest technology made missiles “cheaper, lighter, faster and more precise”.
Raad-500 missile which is “cheaper, lighter, faster and more precise” (Iran Press-AFP)
Iran has widened the domestic armaments industry owing to the international sanctions and restrictions which prohibit it from importing weaponry.
Sunday’s announcement is in conformity with the defense policy of Iran that was changed in 2009 when Tehran declared it could not invest in air force because of sanctions.
The assistant professor at the University of Tennessee, Saeid Golkar said, “Because of sanctions, the Iranian air force is completely behind regional powers such as Saudi Arabia or Turkey”.
Further on, “So the only way it can survive, while still creating deterrence in the region and build up credibility inside the country, is through its missile program”.
US has raised concerns regarding Iran’s ballistic program, declaring the launch of a carrier rocket in Jan 2019 added up to a violation of restrictions on its development of arms.
The launch of Raad-500 missile
US president Donald Trump withdrew Washington from a nuclear agreement with Tehran in 2018; stating the main reason for withdrawal was Iran’s lack of restriction on ballistic program.
In exchange for sanctions relief, Iran signed the nuclear deal of joint comprehensive plan of action in 2015, with the world powers to lessen its nuclear activities.
Iran has responded aggressively to the US withdrawal and reimposition of sanctions by the international community and rolled back its commitment to the nuclear deal.
Iran vows it does not aim to acquire nuclear weapons and clarifies it aerospace moves are nonviolent and meet the terms of the UN Security Council legislation.–Worldwide News