Monkeys in Space from Iran

Iran will send several monkeys into space around Feb. 10 to celebrate the 34th anniversary of the Iranian revolution that will demonstrate Iran's space abilities. They hope to have their first manned space flight in 2020. The five monkeys in a capsule named Pishgam (Pioneer) will be carried into orbit by a Kavoshgar rocket and orbit earth 120-130 kilometers in space. In 2009, Iran sent its first satellite into orbit and now claim they have created a rocket capable of carrying a 330 kg payload. If true, then the same rocket could carry just about any nuclear warhead and not monkeys. The satellite that was sent was only 27 kg.

In 2011, the British confirmed that Iran has been developing and testing rockets capable of reaching space and carrying heavy payloads in violation of the UN Resolution 1929. Yet, as we all know, nothing was done about it. We knew then that they were also interested in securing atomic bombs, hmm, 1 + 1 = two. While the West knows Iran is testing and developing rockets capable of carrying nuclear payloads and will no doubt have some nukes in a year to two because the nuclear talks are simply that-talks. Meanwhile, their weapon development programs carry on to the ultimate goal.

Of course, what can or should be done about it? That, is the proverbial question that really has no good answer and Iran knows it. Peaceful means and economic sanctions hurt them but not enough. Their quest is too defiant to halt it unless physical force is used and that means military action. Even that is a poor option at this stage.

I guess we all will have to cross our fingers and hope for the best. Hope that all our fears about Iran having nukes and rockets to deliver them never come to pass. Hope that they will not use it to "persuade" other smaller nations to submit to Iran's wishes.

Hope is all we have at this stage. Maybe, this launch will also fail, as did the Oct. 2011 attempt.