Pentagon tracked failed Iranian satellite launch and new images reveal Tehran is set to try again
Updated 9:12 PM ET, Tue June 22, 2021
On June 19 and 20, Planet captured two images that showed Iran was again making preparations for a launch of the Simorgh, according to experts at the Middlebury Institute of International Affairs at Monterey.
(CNN)The Pentagon was watching as Iran attempted, and failed, to launch yet another satellite into orbit earlier this month, multiple defense officials tell CNN.
But while that previous effort, which took place in mid-June, was unsuccessful, Iran appears to be preparing for another attempt in the near future, as satellite imagery captured by commercial firms Planet and Maxar shows increased activity at Imam Khomeini Spaceport in recent days, according to experts at the Middlebury Institute of International Affairs at Monterey who analyzed the photos.