Iran’s shiny new space center was inaugurated on Monday, followed by the launch of a rocket that may someday carry domestically-produced satellites into orbit. State-run television claims the launch proves Iran has “joined the world’s top 11 countries possessing space technology” by being able to put satellite into orbit.
While Iran has indeed launched a rocket pointed in the direction of space, experts remain dubious about their ability to put a satellite into orbit using indigenous, Iranian technology. This feat has never even been accomplished by second-tier countries like Canada, Germany, Spain, and Australia. It would seem improbable that Iran, a country where women are still stoned to death for adultery would ever be able to launch anything more complex than a stone.
