TEHRAN, Iran - An Iranian rocket failed to put a satellite into orbit on Sunday, state television reported, the latest setback for a program the U.S. claims helps Tehran advance its ballistic missile program. A Simorgh, or “Phoenix,” rocket couldn’t put the Zafar 1 communications satellite into orbit, however, due to a low speed, Iranian state TV reported. In the days leading up to the launch, Iranian officials had been promoting the mission, including the country’s Information and Communications Technology Minister Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi. Western missile experts also have questioned the U.S. contention that Iran’s program could have a dual use for nuclear weapons. Over the past decade, Iran has sent several short-lived satellites into orbit and in 2013 launched a monkey into space.

Source: thestar February 09, 2020 16:49 UTC