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A missile accidentally exploded on an Iranian spaceport
Photo © reuters.com
On the territory of the cosmodrome of Imam Khomeini in Iran, an emergency occurred with a rocket preparing for launch. Judging by the satellite images, it exploded. Details of the incident were not disclosed.
According to an official who wished to remain anonymous, from the rocket and space industry of Iran, the accident really took place. However, he did not provide details of the incident.
“This was due to some technical difficulties, and it exploded, but our young scientists are working to solve this problem,” an Iranian official said on condition of anonymity.
Satellite imagery published by Planet Labs Inc. clearly shows smoke rising above the launch pad. Missiles at the time of the shooting were gone, as was its payload.
Iran launched its first satellite Omid ("Hope") in 2009. This was followed by the launch of the Rasad satellite ("Observation") in June 2011. A year later, the government announced that it had successfully launched into orbit its third satellite, Navid (“Promise”).
Perhaps this time it was a matter of the Nahid 1 satellite (Venus-1), but now there is no official confirmation of this version.