BREAKING NEWS -- Iran Set to Try Space Launch

[ohio2007]

Iran has converted its most powerful ballistic missile into a satellite launch vehicle. The 30-ton rocket could also be a wolf in sheep's clothing for testing longer-range missile strike technologies, Aviation Week & Space Technology magazine reports in its Jan. 29 issue.

The Iranian space launcher has recently been assembled and "will liftoff soon" with an Iranian satellite, according to Alaoddin Boroujerdi, the chairman of the Iranian parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission.

The move toward an independent space launch capacity is likely to ratchet up concern in the U.S. and Europe about Iran's strategic capabilities and intents. Orbiting its own satellite would send a powerful message throughout the Muslim world about the Shiite regime in Tehran.

U.S. agencies believe the launcher to be a derivation of the 800-1,000-mi. range Shahab 3 missile. A Shahab 3 fired from central Iran could strike anywhere in Israel, Saudi Arabia, the entire Persian Gulf region and as far west as southern Turkey.

There are concerns in the West that space launch upgrades, however, could eventually create an Iranian intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with a range of nearly 2,500 mi., giving Tehran the ability to strike as far as central Europe, well into Russia and even China and India.



<snip>
http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story.jsp?id=news/IRAN01257.xml

So, they putting up a telecom satellite ?

Sanction talk will continue.

[theHandpuppet]

1. Capability doesn't necessarily indicate INTENT

"There are concerns in the West that space launch upgrades, however, could eventually create an Iranian intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with a range of nearly 2,500 mi., giving Tehran the ability to strike as far as central Europe, well into Russia and even China and India. "

And of course the next question should be, "But why the hell would they do that?" If the Iranians even sneezed in the direction of Russia, China or India they'd be obliterated. So what's the point in ratcheting up the terror gauge?

[ohio2007]

2. They've gone on record as to what their "intent" is concerning wiping the map

clean of certain countries in the middle east. I've heard many statements confirming the statements and denying other beliefs during WW II.

But honestly, I don't think the Iranians can afford such high priced toys without making deep cuts besides the rationing program scheduled for March.

[hogwyld]

6. As far as I know

They have never said they (Iran) would wipe them out, just that it will come one day from either economic, or polical collaps. Or maybe some natural disaster brought on by the hand of Allah.

[Zhade]

16. That's false. The actual translation is that Israel should fade from history.

His remark was not about literally wiping Israel off the face of the earth.

You're new, so you haven't seen the debunking of that I suppose.

[TheWatcher]

23. And you've gone on the record for diplaying blatant ignorance.

Welcome to DU. Hope you survive the experience.

[The Magistrate]

3. Capability, Ma'am, Lends Weight To Intent

A man who says he will kill you while his hands are empty is one thing, a man who says he will kill you while pointing a pistol at your head is quite another.

[hogwyld]

5. They already have the capability to hit Israel

So obviously, since they have not done so, why do you think their intent will change? Just more paranoid crap from the collaborationist M$M.

[rcdean]

9. You are correct, sir. But Ahmadinejad is a paper tiger.

Ahmadinejad is the one saying the crazy things. He does not control the military. The mullahs do. And they have clearly indicated their disapproval of his nutty statements. So Iran is not pointing a gun at anybody, sir.

Iran has been overtly threatened by a US president who actually has fired his gun at Iran's neighbor with only imaginary provocation to support his attack. The US president says he is entitled to launch pre-emptive wars if he believes an enemy may harm us. There have been informed reports from within the US government that the Bush administration has already made its decision to attack Iran. Significant naval resources recently shifted to the region lend credence to such reports.

One can hardly blame Iran for doing what it can to prepare for its own defense, sir.

But the ultimate arbiter of the behavior of those who succeed in gaining nuclear capability is MAD. MAD does not lie.

Even a fool with a gun facing others who have guns pointed at him rapidly sobers up enough to realize that pulling the trigger will surely lead to his own destruction.

Peace and best wishes to you.

[The Magistrate]

11. Merely Illustrating The Point, Mr. Dean

As leaders of a government that has been engaged in systematic provocation of the United States pretty much non-stop since coming to power in 1979, the ruling clerics of Iran doubtless understand the desireability of securing more powerful weaponry for their forces. Even "bad hats" have the right to attempt their self defense.

[rcdean]

18. True enough, your honor, but these ain't our father's mullahs.

With the support of many key mullahs, there has been a significant moderation and democratization in Iran since the days of the crazed Kohmehni (though, to be fair, having 3 sons killed by Mossad to preserve a CIA puppet government in my homeland would craze me too). There is a genuine stability and a genuine counterforce to both religious and right wing extremism in the country.

I suppose I'm disputing the notion that, between Kohmehni and Ahmadinejad, there had been anything like a string of provocations coming from Iran. True many Iranians enjoyed their "Death to America" rants. But were we somewhat less civilized ourselves, we would doubtless have many recorded chants from large rallies in southern Florida of "Death To Castro!" Our greater civility only means that the discrete do not allow themselves to be caught shouting about their true desires in public settings.

The mullahs surely desire--as would any rational Iranian--a strong defense to thwart drunken US militarism. But Iran's progress and stability testify to the growing strength of moderate forces both within the mosque and in the street.

Iran is a well developed, modern, reasonably moderate nation -- except for the guy they elected President. We all know what that's like.

Just like us, Iran has a great deal to lose by acting rashly.

It's a MAD world.

[Zhade]

17. Ah, that pesky little fact that he doesn't control the Iranian military.

Kinda destroys the paranoid "OMG Ahjiwhatsit's gonna wipe Israel right offa th' map!" argument, huh?

[theHandpuppet]

15. So what's that say about US?

We're the ones not only with the capability but the ones making scattershot threats in all directions. We're also the ones with the present capability and the stated intent. We're the ones dropping bombs and firing missles. I know who scares me more and it ain't them. Hypocrisy, get a glance in the mirror.

BTW, please don't call me Ma'am. I find the whole Ma'am and Sir gig incredibly annoying.

[High Plains]

29. Who has Iran said it is going to kill?

[oblivious]

36. Iran has threatened to defend itself if attacked. Bad Iran. Bad bad Iran.

[krispos42]

22. Exactly! We can trace a launch instantly, anyplace on the planet

And track missiles in flight.

There would be absolutely no doubt in anybody's mind where the missile originated from.

If you want to be sneaky about nuking somebody, an ICBM is not the way to go.

[HuffleClaw]

4. more propaganda

expect more of this unfounded crap to follow.

[Ilsa]

7. Iran is a threat? Hey, why don't we bomb Iraq then?

Well, that was the logic a few years ago, right, when people were actually more worried about North Korea taking aim at our Far East allies.

[goforit]

10. I think we already did it for them free of charge.

[MrPrax]

8. U.S. agencies believe....

Iraqi Drones May Target U.S. Cities

WASHINGTON — Iraq could be planning a chemical or biological attack on American cities through the use of remote-controlled "drone" planes equipped with GPS tracking maps, according to U.S. intelligence.

The information about Iraq's unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) program has caused a "real concern" among defense personnel, senior U.S. officials tell Fox News. They're worried that these vehicles have already been, or could be, transported inside the United States to be used in an attack, although there is no proof that this has happened.

Secretary of State Colin Powell showed a picture of a small drone plane during his presentation to the U.N. Security Council earlier this month.

FOX

The Case of the 'Deadly' Drone

AL-TAJI, IRAQ – Iraq rolled out a controversial drone aircraft Wednesday, in an effort to rebut American claims that Iraq could use it to spread chemical and biological weapons.

The primitive craft - its wings held together with tin foil and duct tape, and two wooden propellers bolted to engines far smaller than those of a lawn mower - looked more like a high-school science project than the "smoking gun" that could spark a war.




Six blind men in a zoo: Aviation Week’s mythical Blackstar
by Dwayne A. Day
Monday, March 13, 2006

The pages of Aviation Week were filled with breathless prose about an amazing new aircraft. According to a reporter writing for the magazine, a top secret, highly advanced high-speed aircraft was spotted in flight by multiple observers. There was no official confirmation of its existence, but it was clearly the kind of highly advanced airplane that the government would not want anybody to know about. The article was accompanied by an artist’s illustration of a sleek, bizarre-looking craft.

Maybe you didn’t read that article. It was published in Aviation Week in December 1958 (“Soviets Flight Testing Nuclear Bomber,” December 1, 1958, p. 27) and referred to the Soviet atomic-powered bomber. Aviation Week (not yet “& Space Technology”) ran both an editorial and an article about the supersecret airplane.

The article itself was extremely authoritative sounding: “A nuclear-powered bomber is being flight tested in the Soviet Union. Completed about six months ago, this aircraft has been flying in the Moscow area for at least two months. It has been observed both in flight and on the ground by a wide variety of foreign observers from Communist and non-Communist countries.” The article continued: “The Soviet aircraft is a prototype of a design to perform a military mission as a continuous airborne alert warning system and missile launching platform.”

But it turns out that the atomic-powered bomber never existed, and the plane was never “observed both in flight and on the ground by a wide variety of foreign observers.” It was observed by nobody at all, but that did not prevent the magazine from reporting about it.

The Space Review

One finds the phrase...http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&q=%22first+reported+by+Aviation+Week%22&btnG=Search&meta=">"first reported by Aviation Week" a lot lately ;-)

[lovuian]

12. Get Nervous people this missile could be aimed not at

space but somewhere else...

I hope it is to space but look what Bush

[Judi Lynn]

13. I'm getting the hell out of here. I'll bet they're coming after D.U. first.

You guys can hang around, but getting out while the gettin's good.

Run! Run for it! Run away!

[onehandle]

14. McGraw-Hill, publishers of Aviation Week are totally in bed with Bush.

Just Google McGraw-Hill and Republican and see the results.

Negroponte, Grassfire.org, boardmembers of McGraw-Hill are totally in bed with Bush.

I call bullshit on this "BREAKING NEWS" and say that this site qualifies as a "biased source."

[bdamomma]

39. they are probably on bush cabal payroll.

these disgusting men have to be impeached. NOW.

[JCMach1]

19. Iran ready to launch a satellite into space: report

Iran is on the verge of launching a satellite into space that could herald a new dimension in Teheran’s strategic capabilities, Aviation Week and Space Technology said on Thursday on its website.

A recently assembled, 30-ton ballistic missile-turned space launcher could also be used for testing longer-range missile strike technologies, the magazine said it will report in its January 29 issue.

The Iranian space launcher ‘will liftoff soon’ with an Iranian satellite,said Alaoddin Boroujerdi, chairman of the Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, according to the weekly.

Boroujerdi made his announcement during a speech to religious students and clerics in Qom, where Iran has conducted some of its ballistic missile tests, said the magazine without indicating when he spoke.

The US Defence Department did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comments on Iran’s reported satellite launcher... http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2007/January/middleeast_January279.xml§ion=middleeast




Oh, this will make Americans less paranoid... not...

[Poll_Blind]

20. It's going to be like Sputnik all over again..."Maw! Dad says bring...

...the kids in from a-playin'! Dad says the eye-rain-ish satellite's going to be passin' over any mihnut now an tryin' to take a peek down your dress or drop Commie Dust on us!"

And so it goes.

PB

[MrPrax]

21. Kissing Cousins?

or 'dupe' as they say around these parts...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2703847">Breaking News!!!!

My God! Foreigners in Space AND! screwing around with technology that could kill us...

Let's kill!!

[pampango]

27. Perhaps Iran should team up with North Korea which seems to

be developing a space launch capability as well. It is interesting that the development of nuclear "energy" technology can be paired with the development of a "space launch capability."

It will be interesting to see if the Iranian government acknowledges the "space launch" program or if this remains an accusation from possibly questionable sources.

[Acadia Blue]

24. Well, our bozo attacked Iraq. China and Iran are in bed together,

and that idiot has wasted the military, bankrupted the country by giveing all his buddies fake contracts in Iraq, so when a real problem happens we will just fold. He got the ultra rich to accept his policies with the tax cut that was really a BRIBE. Otherwise they would have been screaming about the waste of their tax dollars.

[PATRICK]

25. Cheney's star wars

now have a target other than the Euros and Chinese, but really the whole game does not mean intent to use nukes. It means the elimination first of all of the unique card held by Israel so that the Muslims will automatically prevail. It is also inevitablke that sh*t happens too but the prupose of alarmist talk here is 100% smokescreen for our intended incursion against a long planned target. It is even more so for the Israelis who will not sit by why all their advantages fade and their population loses heart and numbers iunder the growing strain of insecurity.

Nothing is more heinous, not even among zealots and brutal exterminators in the ME than the gross motivations of the very worst of Americans grateful for the prextext of anything to make their murderous, cynical moves, damn foe and ally alike.

[itsmesgd]

26. Can we PLEASE put the dots together, we are starting this war real soon

[Javaman]

30. Oh it's already started, it's just the shooting part hasn't begun in earnest. nt

[The Stranger]

28. The propaganda is coming on strong this morning. Next up: Iranians defenestrating Kuwaiti babies.

Remember that one?

[Bandit]

31. Wasn't Halliburton doing business with Iran when Cheney was CEO

I seem to recall that Halliburton was giving Iran technological aid and supplies when Iran was under Sanction during the ninties. Halliburton gave much technological advice and equipment against World Sanction. Cheney was CEO and no one has any recall of those events.

[David__77]

32. Peaceful space programs are a sovereign right.

I wish there were more technological breakthroughs in the developing world in order to break the stranglehold of the West.

[Warren Stupidity]

33. What he said: "Peaceful space programs are a sovereign right"

Iran has every right to put their own satellites into orbit. Please do not be swept up into the glaringly obvious propaganda campaign underway to justify expanding the chaos in Iraq.

[pampango]

37. They have the sovereign right to a space program and

to a nuclear energy program. There must be a certain synergy to developing both simultaneously, since there are potential military uses of each. I am still interested to know if the Iranians acknowledge pursuing a space launch capability or whether this is disinformation from disreputable sources.

[RL3AO]

34. Maybe...

China would be nice enough to shoot it down for us.

</sarcasm>

[Warren Stupidity]

35. Har! nt.

[bdamomma]

38. is this Rove's and Cheney's way of playing the FEAR CARD

again.