Iran Tests Satellite Launch Vehicle That Could Be Used For Nuclear Warheads

Iran claims that it has never sought to pursue the development of nuclear weapons and that its rocket launches and satellites are meant for defensive purposes. Image Credit | Maxar Technologies.

By Donald Standeford, SJ Founder/Publisher
November 07, 2022 02:00 am UTC
Modified: 2022-11-07 02:00 am

TEHRAN - On Saturday, November 5th the Iranian Revolutionary Guard tested a satellite launch vehicle that Washington has speculated could also launch nuclear warheads.

The Ghaem 100 is Iran's first three-stage launch vehicle and will be able to launch satellites into space with a weight of 80 kg (176 lbs) into an orbit of 500km (310 miles) above the earth, according to IRNA.

The Ghaem 100 “is capable of placing satellites weighing 80 kilograms (176 lbs) in an orbit 500 kilometers (around 300 miles) from the surface of the earth," the IRNA state television said.

Iranian state news reported the “successful suborbital launch of the satellite launcher named Ghaem-100. The flight test of this launcher using the Rafe solid-fuel vehicle has been successfully completed.”

Iranian state news agency IRNA reported, "The flight test of this satellite carrier with a solid-fueled engine ... was successfully completed".

Amirali Hajizadeh, the head of the Revolutionary Guards' aerospace division that developed the Ghaem 100 launch vehicle said that the rocket will be used to launch Iran's Nahid satellite for the telecommunications ministry, Iranian state media reported.

Iran claims that it has never sought to pursue the development of nuclear weapons and that its rocket launches and satellites are meant for defensive purposes.

Iran placed its first military satellite into orbit in April, 2020 amidst sharp condemnation from the United States.

In August of 2022 Iran put a second satellite into orbit called "Khayyam", which was launched by Russia on a Soyuz-2.1b rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

According to Iran's space agency the system was constructed by Russia under Iran's supervision.

Upon the satellite being launched into orbit, the United States responded by saying that the Khayyam would have "significant spying capabilities" and said that the deepening ties between Iran and Russia is a 'profound threat' to the world.

Iran responded by saying that the purpose of the Khayyam satellite is to "monitor the country’s borders," and help manage natural resources and agriculture.