Space Program Launched

“Iran said the satellite would be purely scientific. But a month after it’s launch—and only weeks after the president said Israel should be wiped off the map—the head of Tehran’s space program now says the Sina-1 is capable of spying on the Jewish state. The launch of the Russian-made satellite into orbit aboard a Russian rocket last month marked the beginning of Iran’s space program. … The program represents Tehran’s drive to prove it can produce advanced technology on its own. … [The launch] was a major step in the country’s long tem ambitions.”

Associated Press, Nov. 16, 2005