Iran conducts record space launch with largest-ever payload
Iran's space program has previously concerned the United States and its allies, who claim that its developments go hand-in-hand with those of its ballistic missile program.
Iran said on Friday that it conducted a record-setting space launch, which will likely raise concerns from the United States and its allies.
The launch, conducted on Friday morning from Iran’s Imam Khomeini Spaceport, southeast of Semnan, carried a combined weight of 300 kilograms (around 660 pounds), the highest payload Iran has launched into space.
The eighth launch of Iran’s Simorgh satellite carrier included the Fakhr-1, the Saman-1 orbital transfer block and an additional research payload.
The Fakhr-1 satellite is a military satellite designed and built in part by the Iranian Army, marking the first time Iran’s civilian space program has carried a military payload. Iran’s state news agency, IRNA, reported that after being in orbit, Fakhr-1 sent its first signal to the ground.
