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On February 4, Iran launched a Kavoshgar-1 (Explorer-1) rocket into sub-orbital space from the desert region in the Semman Province, southeast of Tehran. Iranian defense officials gave few details about the rocket, but described it as a research rocket carrying scientific instruments and perform experiments during the sub-orbital flight. Based on its appearance in photos released by Iran some have speculated it could be an enhanced version of the Shahab-3 missile. Iran claims the rocket will be ready to launch its first domestically engineered satellite, Omid (Hope), into space in 2009, which is said to be designed to monitor the earthquake prone country during natural disasters, and improve communication within Iran. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Iranian state-run television: "We need to have an active presence in space. We witness today that Iran has taken its first step in space very firmly, precisely and with awareness." The launch was said to inaugurate the completion of Iran's new "space terminal" near the city of Semnan, from whence Shahab missiles are also tested.
Both American and Russian officials indicated that the test might signal an advance in Iranian missile technology. White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe commented, "It's unfortunate Iran continues to test ballistic missiles. This regime continues to take steps that only further isolate it and the Iranian people from the international community." Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov commented that, "Any progress in the development of this [long-range ballistic missile] weaponry, certainly worries us and others," adding that the test's demonstration of advanced missile technology which "raise[s] suspicion towards Iran about its possible desire to create a nuclear weapon."