Report: Iran launched solid-fuel satellite rocket into space

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard past week launched a solid-fuel outer bearer rocket into space, the country’s authoritative IRNA quality bureau reported Thursday.

The study quoted Gen. Amirali Hajizadeh, main of the Guard’s aerospace unit, arsenic saying the trial was successful. He said it marked the archetypal clip Iran utilized a solid-fuel rocket alternatively than a liquid-fuel one. He said Iran volition nutrient lighter rocket engines successful further abstraction projects.

According to the general, the outer bearer was made of a composite worldly alternatively of metallic — thing helium claimed was “cost-efficient.” Hajizadeh spoke to a radical of clerics successful the metropolis of Qom, the spot of seminaries successful Iran. He said Iran powerfully pursues its goals successful aerospace and outer industry.

However, composites are successful wide much costly to nutrient than their metallic equivalents. Composites besides marque a rocket lighter truthful it tin boost a heavier outer oregon payload into orbit. State TV did not amusement immoderate footage connected the launch.

Satellite carriers usually usage liquid substance but solid-fuel rockets tin beryllium adapted for mobile launchers that tin beryllium driven anyplace connected a large roadworthy oregon obstruction system. Pure solid-fuel rockets are mostly associated with ballistic missiles systems.

Last month, Iran said it launched a rocket with a outer bearer bearing 3 devices into space, without saying whether immoderate of the objects had entered Earth’s orbit.

The State Department astatine the clip said it remains acrophobic by Iran’s abstraction launches, which it asserts “pose a important proliferation concern” successful regards to Tehran’s ballistic rocket program.

The launches travel against the backdrop of negotiations successful Vienna trying to revive Tehran’s tattered atomic woody with satellite powers. Iran, which has agelong said that it does not question atomic weapons, insists that its outer launches and rocket tests bash not person a subject component.