Iran tests rocket, plans to launch satellite

By Parisa Hafezi and Fredrik Dahl

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran launched a rocket on Monday designed to send its first homemade research satellite into orbit in the next year, state television said, a move likely to add to Western concerns about Tehran's nuclear plans.

The technology used to put satellites into orbit could also be used for launching weapons, analysts said.

The West fears Iran is trying to master nuclear technology so it can build weapons. Iran insists its plans are peaceful.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad read out the launch countdown before the rocket blasted off to chants of "God is greatest" by an audience of officials in a control room, state TV reported.

"The implications of (the test) are very interesting. If they can send a satellite into orbit ... the Israelis will claim there is no reason why they can't launch a weapon system in the same way or why they can't make a long-range ballistic missile," London-based defence analyst Paul Beaver said.

TV footage showed the rocket soaring into the sky from a desert launch pad, leaving a vapour trail. A parachute appeared to drop from the rocket shortly after the launch. State television gave few details about the rocket.

State media said the research satellite, called Omid (Hope), would be launched by March 2009.

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