Report: Iran Fails to Launch Satellite-Carrying Rocket
Iran failed in an attempt to launch a rocket carrying a satellite, The Associated Press reported on Wednesday. The attempted launch Is believed to have taken place sometime after Friday, determined based on satellite images from Planet Labs PBC. Satellite images taken on Sunday by Maxar Technologies and seen by The Associated Press show a launch pad at Imam Khomeini Spaceport in Semnan province with a damaged and scorched rocket stand.
Iran generally immediately announces successful launches and does not acknowledge failures, the AP points out. There have been no announcements in recent days of the launch of a rocket carrying a satellite.
A Zuljanah satellite launch vehicle, believed to be the space vehicle used in the recent and failed launch, was successfully launched last year, the AP reported.
The launch attempt comes as Iran is reviewing a revised nuclear deal with the world powers that would see it roll back its nuclear weapons program in return for the easing of sanctions.
