When is a space program something more?

Peter Brooks on Iran's budding space program: "Theoretically, if you can launch a ballistic missile that can place a satellite into earth orbit, you have the scientific wherewithal to hit a target anywhere on Earth with a warhead, including a weapon of mass destruction."

Iran's defence ministry plays a prominent role in the putative civilian space effort. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which manages Iran's Shahab medium-range ballistic missile programme, is also involved. [snip]

One piece of intelligence showed that after 2003 Iran was involved in studies of multipoint detonation systems, the precise timing capability of which is critical for triggering a nuclear detonation.

Tehran continues to put more centrifuges online at its Natanz uranium enrichment facility, which could lead to the production of low-enriched uranium for reactor fuel or highly enriched uranium for weapons. [snip]

Tehran's budding space work could lead to the development of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of reaching all of Europe and the United States with a significant payload such as a nuclear weapon.

Iran would be the first Muslim state with a space-launch capability. Neighbours would be envious as Tehran propels itself toward leadership of the Middle East and the Islamic world.

It is also useful to be able to launch your own communications or scientific satellites, rather than having to relying on others to launch them for you. Russia launched Iran's only other satellite into orbit back in October 2005.

Iran would surely argue that it needs to be self-reliant for space launches, just like it (self-servingly) insists it needs to be self-sufficient in enriching uranium to produce fuel for its Bushehr nuclear reactor, despite Russian assistance. (continue reading)

Mr. Brooks article also ran in Janes defense magazine.

Read about the radicals in Barack Hussein Mohammad Obama's campaign here. Wonder how they will see Iran's missile and nuclear programs?