Iran announces satellite launch success

Iran launched a satellite into earth orbit Wednesday, Iran's state TV reported, in a feat that is likely to raise concerns among those who fear Iran's intentions and nuclear development program.

The report said the locally produced satellite, called Rasad, or observation, was launched successfully by a Safir missile on Wednesday. There was no independent confirmation of the launch or of the satellite achieving orbit.

It the second satellite Iran has put into orbit. The first, named Omid, was launched in 2009.

The Iranian TV report said the new satellite is designed to produce high resolution maps.

Iran's decade-long space program has raised alarms in the West, because the same technology that allows missiles to launch satellites can be used to fire warheads. Israel, the U.S. and others charge that Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons. Iran denies that.

The TV report said the Rasad satellite, developed by Iran's aerospace agency, has a mass of 15.3 kilograms and has been designed to orbit the earth 15 times a day at the height of 260 kilometres.

"Our glorious scientists successfully put Iran's first image-collecting satellite into orbit," the TV report said.

Iran has made a series of claims about advances in its ambitious space program in recent years, which has Western powers worried about the possibility of its military applications.

Last year, Iran announced it had successfully launched a rocket carrying a mouse, turtle and worms into space.

Iran's space program has expressed a goal of putting a man in orbit within 10 years, despite the expense and technological challenge involved.   

Iran is showcasing its technological successes as signs it can advance despite the threat of U.S. and U.N. sanctions over its nuclear program.

It is also pressing ahead with its military missile program, frequently testing missiles capable of reaching Israel, U.S. bases in the Gulf and parts of southeast Europe.