Iran Delays Launch of New Rasad 1 Satellite

The launch of a new Iranian satellite, Rasad 1, has been delayed until the second half of the Persian year (starting late September).  It was originally scheduled to launch this month amid international fears over Iran’s true intentions with the space program.

Rasad 1 will be Iran’s second home-grown satellite and would represent further advancement for Iran’s upstart space program.   According to Iranian officials, Rasad 1 provides weather forecasts and will beam high resolution satellite imagery back to Iran.  The latter component has many Western nations concerned that Iran may be laying the foundation for a spy satellite.  Inside Iran, the space program has become a source of pride. Rasad stands for observation in Farsi.