Earlier today the Iranian regime claimed it shot a monkey into space.
Images of the monkey being prepared for lift-off were shown on Iranian television. (BBC)
Now the regime is reporting that it launched a “research” satellite into space.
IRNA reported:
Iran launched Pioneer Explorer Satellite and placed it into space, taking a giant stride in the field of space bio-research, Public Relations Department at Iran Aerospace Organization said on Monday.
Iran places Pioneer Explorer Satellite into space
The Explorer Satellite was launched concurrent with the auspicious birth anniversary of Holy Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him).
The explorer was put in the orbit as per schedule and altitude.
The Islamic Republic of Iran has sent a monkey into space aboard an indigenous bio-capsule as a prelude to sending humans into space.
Iran launched its first indigenous satellite, Omid (Hope), in 2009. The country also sent its first bio-capsule containing living creatures into the space in February 2010, using the indigenous Kavoshgar-3 (Explorer-3) carrier.
In June 2011, Iran put the 15.3-kilogram Rasad (Observation) orbiter in space. Rasad’s mission was to take images of the Earth and transmit them along with telemetry information to the ground stations.
Iran launched Navid-e Elm-o Sanat (Harbinger of Science and Industry), another indigenous satellite, into the orbit on February 3, 2012.