"The program's preliminary needs, assessments and feasibility studies have been carried out," Head of the Iranian Aerospace Organization, Reza Taqipour announced last Wednesday. "China and India managed to send an astronaut to space in a 15 year program. We see ourselves taking the same path, but we hope to reach that goal in a shorter period," he added. According to Taqipour, the Aerospace Organization had drawn up a comprehensive plan for the project that clarifies the role, which various academic and research institutions must play to carry out a successful space mission by 2021.
Iran is also building seven new satellites, including three for high orbit positions, the country's communications minister said on Thursday, a week after Iran launched its first satellite amid international concerns. "Four low-orbit satellites weighing under 100 kilograms are under design and construction," Mohammad Soleymani was quoted as saying by the state broadcaster's website. The other three satellites will be high orbit spacecraft and all seven are being built by Iranian scientists, he said. On February 3rd, Iran entered a new stage of its space program by carrying out its first ever entirely domestic satellite launch and sending the national satellite Omid (Hope) into orbit via a Safir 2 rocket. Omid is a lightweight telecommunications satellite that has been designed to gather information and test equipment. After orbiting for one to three months, Omid will return to Earth with data that will assist Iranian experts in sending an operational satellite into space.
(Source: Al - Manar TV)