An Iranian space research expert has announced on state television that Iran's first satellite has successfully completed its scientific mission after more than a month in orbit.

Iran placed its first communications satellite, Omid (Hope), into a near-Earth orbit on February 2nd. The satellite was carried into orbit by a Safir (Messenger) rocket. The expert stated the satellite orbited Earth 700 times and would remain in orbit for another 38 days before entering the Earth's atmosphere. He added that a number of countries, including Russia, Britain, and the United States, had used information collected by the satellite during its mission. Iranian Communications Minister Mohammad Soleimani earlier said that the country's scientists were working on the creation of four new satellites to be placed into near-Earth orbit. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said last week that pressure from Western powers trying to keep Iran in economic isolation has in fact spurred the country to become a space and nuclear power.