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The Iranians have recently stepped up their space program, with the aim of launching their first satellite into orbit atop a modified ballistic missile. While the exact launch vehicle is unknown, it is believed to be a derivation of the liquid-fueled 800-1,000 mi range Shahab-3 called the IRSL-X-2 or the IRIS. The missile version, equipped with a nuclear warhead, could reach Israel, Saudi Arabia, the entire Persian Gulf and as far west as Turkey. However, the “space aimed” upgraded model could represent the beginnings of an Iranian Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) with a range of approximately 2,500 mi. Such a weapon could place a nuclear warhead as far as Central Europe, or well into Russia, China or India.
The U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency has told Congress that Iran may be capable of developing a 3,000 mi range ICBM by 2015 making it able to hit as far away as London. What’s worse is that there is evidence to suggest that the recent Iranian launch vehicle is a copy of North Korea’s Taepodong-2C/3 ICBM that failed in a launch attempt last July 4th. In fact, cooperation between the two governments has been going on for quite some time now, [GlobalSecurity.org] which would shed some light on how Iran could’ve released this tech so quickly. The implication of this conglomerate is devastation on a global scale. While North Korea maintains its weapons serve a deterrent purpose, their blind hatred towards the west leaves that to be seen.
With the recent test of a Chinese anti-satellite weapon, the White House must be in a frenzy. Bush has made space a priority of his, but actual funding has been scant. We can not afford to loose our hold on space exploration and technology. And yet, all of this has the stale scent of Cold War about it. Once again, the Communist world, partnering with Islamic factions in the middle east, is building up nuclear weapons and ICBMs with their sights set firmly on Western Democracy.
Someone needs to defuse this situation, and quickly. I don’t see any of this ending well.