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Satnews Daily
February 3rd, 2010

Iran — An Eclectic Mix Of Rodent, Reptile +Tubular Invertebrate Catch A Ride Into Space


Iran has successfully launched a home-produced satellite on the Kavoshgar 3 (Explorer) satellite launcher. The Kavoshgar has already been used for the launch of the first Iranian satellite, the Omid, which was launched a year ago.

The payload on the satellite being launched today included live animals that were carried in the satellite capsule — a rat, turtles, and worms. The satellite mission included the transmission of life support signals to the ground. Iran is also developing the means to launch heavier satellites into orbit. The heavier satellite launcher, dubbed Simorgh will be able to carry a payload of 100-kq into low earth orbit (an altitude of 500 km.) Iran's space program is considered to be by western nations simply a "cover" for the nation's ambitions to develop, test and, eventually, field long range and, potentially intercontinental missiles, that have the range and payload capacity to carry nuclear warheads several thousands of kilometers.