From: Adam <""4thwormcastfromthemolehill\"{at}the field.near
the bridge">

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?channel=awst&id=news/I
RAN01257.xml

Rule number 1.....nuke capable + a "space program" =
"defensive message".


Interesting that Bush's Iran pressure of late appears to be pushing Iran
faster & faster towards being able to place into & then drop mass
from the heavens anywhere on earth.

"Iran has converted one of its most powerful ballistic missiles into a
satellite launch vehicle. The 30-ton rocket could also be a wolf in sheep's
clothing for testing longer-range missile strike technologies, Aviation
Week & Space Technology magazine reports in its Jan. 29 issue.

The Iranian space launcher has recently been assembled and "will
liftoff soon" with an Iranian satellite, according to Alaoddin
Boroujerdi, the chairman of the Iranian parliament's National Security and
Foreign Policy Commission.

The move toward an independent space launch capacity is likely to ratchet
up concern in the U.S. and Europe about Iran's strategic capabilities and
intents. Orbiting its own satellite would send a powerful message
throughout the Muslim world about the Shiite regime in Tehran. "


""But ultimately, their space program aims to orbit
reconnaissance satellites like Israel's "Ofek," using an Iranian
satellite launcher from Iranian territory, says Uzi Rubin, the former head
of the Israel Missile Defense Organization. Rubin made his assessment in a
report for The Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs.

"A reconnaissance satellite of reasonable performance should weigh
about 300 kg. [660 lb.] Once Iran learns how to put 300 kg. into earth
orbit, it could adapt the satellite launcher into an ICBM that could drop
more than 300 kg anywhere in the world. Remember the impact on the U.S. of
Russia's launch of Sputnik," Rubin says in his assessment."

Indeed. Once in orbit, range is no longer an issue.

& once they do it...then NK will no doubt follow....

" The new space launcher and ongoing missile development is also
significant in that it highlights close technological ties between the
Iranian and North Korean missiles programs, intelligence agencies agree.

Analysts at GlobalSecurity.org believe that if the version used is the
Shahab 3, the modification could be a stepping stone to a clone of the
North Korean Taepo Dong 2C/3 ballistic missile that failed in a launch
attempt from North Korea last July 4.

A November 2006 Congressional Research Service report reinforced concerns
over Iranian and North Korean missile development ties. It notes that
Israel's military intelligence chief has information indicating that North
Korea has shipped to Iran eighteen 1,500 mi. range BM-25 ballistic missiles
capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. "

Ah the joys of the "Axis if Evil wiv Nukes & a global reach".....

Probably wot NK is hanging in for coz once achieved then all sorts of
negotiating positions/dynamics change.

Adam

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