JERUSALEM, Israel (BulgarianMilitary.com) – The failed Iranian launch of an imaging satellite proves that this country’s ballistic missile program is moving forward in spite of warnings from the U.S and Europe. Israel has observed the preparations for launch and the launch itself, learned BulgarianMilitary.com.

Iran said it conducted a satellite launch but that the launcher failed to reach orbit.

The reported launch, on January 15, was performed when the U.S has again warned Iran that its ballistic missile program is a violation of United Nations resolutions.

Read more: Tehran Can Expand the Range of Its Missiles beyond the Limit of 2,000 Kilometres

Iran insists the launches do not violate the resolution.

Iran’s Telecommunications Minister Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi told state TV that the missile carrying the Payam satellite failed to reach the “necessary speed” in the third stage of launch.

Iran is Preparing Satellite Launch: Main Launch Complex in Imam Khomeini Space Center | Photo Credit: Satellite of ImageSat Company

He did not say what caused the failure but vowed that scientists would continue their research.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said that Iran’s plans demonstrate the country’s defiance of a UN Security Council resolution. That resolution calls on Iran to undertake no activity related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons.

Iran is Preparing Satellite Launch: SLV integration building in Imam Khomeini Space Center | Photo Credit: Satellite of ImageSat Company

Washington and European countries have expressed concerns that the Launcher used is part of Iran’s long range ballistic missile program.

Israeli experts asses that the launcher was the Simorgh. A launcher based on some ballistic missiles developed by Iran, some with North Korean help.

The Simorgh rocket is 27 meters long, and has a launch mass of 87 tones. Its first stage is powered by four main engines, each generating up to 29,000 kilograms-force of thrust, plus a fifth engine used for attitude control, providing an additional 13,600 kg. At liftoff, these engines generate a total 130,000 kg of thrust. Simorgh was designed to place a 350-kilogram payload into a 500-kilometre low Earth orbit.

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