Iran satellite photos show burning space center launch pad

Satellite images appear to show the smoldering remains of a rocket at an Iranian space center that was to conduct a US-criticized satellite launch.

The satellite pictures were taken this morning of the Imam Khomeini Space Center in Iran’s Semnan province.

The photos show black smoke and part of a painted launch pad apparently scorched away.

The imagery from the commercial company Planet, shows smoke billowing from the pad at the Imam Khomeini Space Center in northern Iran. The failure is the third this year. https://t.co/iwoyatGWH0

— NPR (@NPR) August 29, 2019

David Schmerler, a senior research associate at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, tells The Associated Press: “Whatever happened there, it blew up and you’re looking at the smoldering remains of what used to be there.”

NPR first reported on the satellite images.

Iran was to launch the Nahid-1 satellite in the coming days. There had been activity at the space center in recent days.

There was no immediate reaction from Iran.

— AP