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Iranians inaugurate space project Iranians inaugurate space project
(about 1 hour later)
Iran has launched a research rocket to inaugurate the Islamic Republic's first home-built space centre, state television reported. Iran has launched a research rocket to inaugurate a newly built space centre, state television reports.
Pictures were broadcast of a rocket on a launch pad, but there was no footage of it blasting off. Pictures of the launch were broadcast to cries of "God is Great" from the television announcer.
The test was for Iran's first low-orbit research satellite, which is planned for launch in March next year.The test was for Iran's first low-orbit research satellite, which is planned for launch in March next year.
Correspondents say advances in Iran's missile technology are likely to alarm Tehran's foes among Western powers. Correspondents say advances in Tehran's missile technology are likely to alarm Western powers, as Iran presses on with a controversial nuclear programme.
The BBC's Jon Leyne in Tehran says it is a highly symbolic moment for the launch, on the 29th anniversary of the Iranian revolution and there has been much patriotic music on TV as it reported the story. The BBC's Jon Leyne in Tehran says it is a highly symbolic moment for the launch, on the 29th anniversary of the Iranian revolution.
However, the fact that no launch footage was shown may mean it has been delayed. There has been much patriotic music on TV as it reported the story.
'Important achievement''Important achievement'
The space centre, at an unidentified desert location, includes an underground control station and launch pad for the satellite which will be named Omid (Hope).The space centre, at an unidentified desert location, includes an underground control station and launch pad for the satellite which will be named Omid (Hope).
"We need to have an active and influential presence in space," President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said in a televised ceremony before the launch."We need to have an active and influential presence in space," President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said in a televised ceremony before the launch.
"Iran took its first step very strongly, precisely and wisely," he said. "Building and launching a satellite is a very important achievement.""Iran took its first step very strongly, precisely and wisely," he said. "Building and launching a satellite is a very important achievement."
In February 2007, Iran said it launched a rocket capable of reaching space before it made a parachute-assisted descent to Earth. In February 2007, Iran said it had launched a rocket capable of reaching space - before it made a parachute-assisted descent to Earth.
In October 2005, a Russian rocket launched Iran's first satellite, the Sina-1, which carried photographic and telecommunications equipment.In October 2005, a Russian rocket launched Iran's first satellite, the Sina-1, which carried photographic and telecommunications equipment.
Western countries fear Iran wants to produce a nuclear weapons, although Tehran denies this, insisting its uranium-enrichment programme is solely to generate electricity. Western countries also fear Iran wants to produce nuclear weapons.
Tehran denies this, insisting its uranium-enrichment programme is solely to generate electricity.
Tehran is already thought to have missiles which can reach Israel and this launch is seen as further evidence that it is developing its rocket technology.