Comment

Overnight Open Thread

405
Pullus Iulius2/03/2009 6:27:12 am PST

A couple of things about the Iranian “satellite” launch video bother me. First, the rocket viewed at 0:02 on the video isn’t the same one as shown at 0:03. Using the high pressure gas vent plume at the top of the first stage as a reference point in each case (though admittedly at differing camera angles), the second stage of the rocket at 0:03 is quite a bit longer than the one shown at 0:02. Then, at 0:13, we bounce back to the launch of the shorter one. My opinion, anyway. Second, if it’s the first launch of an indigenous orbital satellite, why launch it at night, with all the attendant visibility and photographic analysis difficulties? The rule here is for new programs to launch in daylight. Ditto for the USSR, France, and even North Korea (for instance, the failed Taipodong went up at 3:07 GMT, 12:07 local time). I think the Iranians are splicing together night videos for the same reason that film directors like night shots with wet streets - it helps eliminate continuity problems between film takes.
I think what we’re seeing is footage from a couple of developmental IRBM tests. And IRBM delivery systems are a waste of capacity without a high-payback payload. Like a nuke. Not what’s being advertised here. Otherwise, release the tracking data.