MOSCOW, 26 APR – RIA Novosti. Cosmic commander of US forces General John Raymond called the first Iranian military satellite “Nur-1” is useless for exploration.
Iran on April 22 with the help of the carrier rocket “Cased” (“Messenger”) brought to orbit with an altitude of 425 kilometers, the first military satellite of “Nur” (“Light”). His presence in orbit was confirmed by 18-squadron space surveillance United States air force.
“Space command of the United States continues to track two objects that 18 squadron space surveillance USAF air base to Peterson connects with a space launch from Iran, describing “Nur-1″ (number 45529 in the us catalog of space objects) as cubesat 3U format (measuring 10 by 10 by 30 centimeters – ed.),” said Raymond on his Twitter page.
He added that Iran has stated about the capabilities of satellites to capture images of the earth’s surface.
“in fact, this somersaulting web camera in space, it is unlikely providing exploration,” said Raymond, adding sarcastically to my post hashtag spaceishard (space hard).
Earlier, the Russian Amateur radio operator Dmitry Pashkov told RIA Novosti that the signal from the “Nur-1” fragile – this means that the satellite rotates and will not start to work until it is stable.
Based at Vandenberg air force base (California) 18 squadron space surveillance USAF is engaged in the detection, tracking and identification of all artificial objects in earth orbit.
Since 2009, Iran successfully orbited five satellites, including four with the help of a Safir rocket.
