Iran successfully sent ‘monkey’ into space: State TV
TEHRAN, Iran – Iran said Monday it has successfully sent a monkey into space, describing the launch as another step toward Tehran’s goal of a manned space flight.
According to a brief report on state TV said the monkey was sent up in a Pishtam, or Explorer, rocket to a height of 120 kilometers (72 miles).
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 U.S. and its allies worry that technology from the space program 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 east of Tehran.
A satellite monitoring facility is located outside Mahdasht, about 40 miles west of the Iranian capital.
Read more: https://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/01/28/iranian-state-tv-says-country-has-successfully-sent-monkey-into-space
