Iran satellite launch fails to reach orbit, causes massive explosion

Iran’s space program suffered a setback, when the nation launched a communications satellite called Zafar 1 atop a Simorgh rocket at Imam Khomeini Space Center on 9 February.

However, Zafar did not make it all the way to orbit and reportedly crashed in a rural area in southeast Iran where locals reported hearing eight massive explosions and saw a huge light in the sky.

“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”, a defense ministry space program spokesman said.

Iran suffered a Simorgh launch failure last year in January, and another one with a different rocket, the Safir, a month later. In August, a rocket apparently exploded on the pad at Imam Khomeini Space Center.

“Today ‘Zafar’ satellite launch failed. Like many scientific projects, failure happened. FALCON 9, Juno II, ATLAS, PROTON M, ANTARES are just few samples of US launch failures. But We’re UNSTOPPABLE! We have more Upcoming Great Iranian Satellites!”, Iran’s information and communications technology minister tweeted.

The satellite was expected to be launched on Iran’s National Space Technology Day, which coincides with the ten-day celebration of the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution during which Iran often presents technologies and achievements in its nuclear program.

The United States said Iran is using its satellite launch program as a cover for developing long-range ballistic missiles. Tensions between the US and Iran rose after a US drone strike killed Iran’s top general Qasem Soleimani in January. A few days later, Iran retaliated with missile strikes on several sites in Iraq that housed American troops.