Not Exactly Rocket Science
Newsweek
07-Feb-2009 (3 comments)

One U.S. counter-proliferation official, who asked for anonymity when discussing sensitive information, described the two-stage Safir-2 rocket (which lofted a satellite nicknamed Omid, or "Hope") was "not sophisticated." The official said that reports reaching the U.S. government indicate the technology was around 50 years old, the equivalent of the rocket that put the Soviet "Sputnik" satellite into low-earth orbit in 1957. The launch was a "largely symbolic" gesture by Iran's theocratic regime, the official said. A U.S. defense official said the Iranians attempted a similar mission last August. That mission reportedly failed when the rocket, carrying a dummy payload, apparently failed to reach orbit.

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Balatarin
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Both sides are correct

by Anonininini (not verified) on Sun Feb 08, 2009 01:19 PM PST

Iran might have gained 59 yr old technology but it has done it in a relatively short period. And let's remeber if Iran moves up to 40 yr old technology then it can launch pretty accurate ICBMs with nuclear warheads.


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Precisely, Ostaad ...

by Mehrnaz (not verified) on Sun Feb 08, 2009 01:49 AM PST

Thank you Ostaad, I would add that such an independent progress sets a very "bad model" for the populations of client states. It also explains the anxiety of those who are more invested in the downfall of the IR than any success and progress that might benefit the nation and boost hope and confidence. In their short-sighted view it is preferable (indeed desirable) to have a population crushed under poverty, repression and in need of 'intervention' and 'rescue', than a population who is being empowered through the exercise of its own abilities, a population who can take pride in its achievements and, instead of holding the begging bowl, expects more and demands more, both in its international relations and in its domestic politics.


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Ostaad

Good article, girlfriend.

by Ostaad on Sat Feb 07, 2009 11:10 AM PST

Sorry, I get an ERROR when I use the link used in the post. This may help.

//www.newsweek.com/id/183622

Rick Lehner's remarks, who said those who played down the significance of last week's
Iranian launch are "missing the point ... If Iran can successfully
combine rocket motor staging, accurate guidance and control, reliable
propellant and precise payload deployment, then they have made a
technological leap forward on the way to an operational ICBM. That is
the concern,", is more significant that the "worry" thing routinely expressed by some. The US, Israel and some EU countries are well aware that Iran in not very advanced in many technological fields, their problem is Iran is doing what it is doing without their active control and "assistance". I hope eveyone remembers GW's remarks that Iran should not be allowed to LEARN these technologies. So the US/Israel/EU "worries" stem from their failure to keep Iran as technologically backward as Egypt, Arabia and their "moderate" allies who have been kept deprived and unable to perform ANY technologically complex operation.

So the opposing the "bomb" is just a thinly veiled way to hide the West's racist and hegemonic intentions. 


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