13 October 2010
Statement by Mr. MohammadReza Sahraei
Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran
at the Special Political and Decolonization Committee on the agenda item 50
“International cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space”
(New York- 13 October 2010)
In the Name of God the Compassionate the Merciful
Mr. Chairman At the outset, allow me to felicitate you and other members of the Bureau, on the assumption of your offices, and wish you success in your endeavor to continue guiding the Committee efficiently in the course of the remaining discussions. I would also like to use this opportunity to express our appreciation to the Director and the staff of the UNOOSA for their efforts to further promote international cooperation on peaceful uses of outer space. Mr. Chairman The Islamic Republic of Iran as one of the first COPUOS member has constantly supported and contributed to the work of the Committee to uphold the fundamental principles governing on space activities enshrined in the Outer Space Treaty and the related United Nations instruments. The UN instruments provide that in the exploration and use of outer space, States shall be guided by the principle of cooperation and mutual assistance and shall conduct all their activities in outer space with due regard for the corresponding interests of other States. The Islamic Republic of Iran is perfectly aware of the substantial contribution of satellite products to the well being of all mankind and to the socio-economic development of all counties. At the same time we recall that these activities should be carried out in a manner compatible with the sovereign rights of States, including the principle of non-intervention as enshrined in the relevant United Nations instruments. The Islamic Republic of Iran reiterates the need for further international cooperation regarding the peaceful use or outer space, and expresses its concern over the likelihood of an arms race in the outer space which requires increased international awareness and preventive efforts. Iranhas already stated its position on this specific issue at various international fora. We believe that the outer space as the common heritage of mankind must be used, explored and utilized for exclusively peaceful purposes and for the benefit and interest of all mankind in a spirit of cooperation and without discrimination. To that end, all efforts should be done in order to secure the use of outer space solely for the purposes of the well-being and prosperity of all nations around the world. Mr. Chairman I am so delighted to seize this opportunity to inform the Committee of the most significant developments of the Iranian space programme which took place over the past year.- On February 3rd, 2010, three new indigenously made satellites, namely Mesbah-2, Toloo and Navid were unveiled.
- These satellites are planned to be hopefully launched with our new domestic Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV) in a near future. The new SLV which is called Simorgh uses a clustered motor with a thrust power of 143 tons, and is able to inject satellites with 100kg weight in the orbits up to 500 km.
- On February 3rd, 2010 a domestically manufactured sounding rocket with a mouse, two turtles, and some worms on-board was successfully launched. The new sounding rocket, called Kavoshgar-3 (Explorer-3), included a life-support system and cameras to monitor the condition and movements of the animals and to send back images from the rocket’s exterior. The 3-meter long research rocket traveled "beyond the Earth’s atmosphere" and parachuted back to Earth, with the animals still alive and in perfect condition.
