Iran opens new space center

"This center has been inaugurated to maintain the security of Iran's space and spatial systems since we should constantly monitor spatial objects and satellites passing through the country's atmosphere," Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi was quoted by Fars as saying at the launch ceremony. The space center named 'Imam Ja'far Sadeq (PBUH)' was opened in the central province of Markazi. The center will use three different methods of radar, electro-optic and radio detection to track and detect space objects, Vahidi said. The system can also be used by other countries to control their space objects in orbit, he said.