Iran 'launches monkey into space'

Iran claims it has put a monkey into space
28 January 2013

Iran has claimed it sent a monkey into space in what it described as another step toward the goal of manned space flight.

State media said the monkey was sent 70 miles up in a Pishtam, or Explorer, rocket. It gave no other details on the timing or location of the launch, but said the monkey returned safely.

Iran has said it seeks to send an astronaut into space as part of its ambitious aerospace program. In 2010, Iran said it launched a rocket into space carrying a mouse, turtle and worms.

The West is worried that technology from the space programme could also be used to develop long-range missiles that could potentially be armed with nuclear warheads.

Iran has announced several successful launches of satellites, dating back to 2005 in a joint project with Russia.

Tehran has not given details of its planned new space facility, but it already has a major satellite launch complex near Semnan, about 125 miles from Tehran. A satellite monitoring facility is located outside Mahdasht, west of the Iranian capital.

Iran says it wants to put its own satellites into orbit to monitor natural disasters in the earthquake-prone nation, improve telecommunications and expand military surveillance in the region.

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in