TEHRAN -- Iran sent up a rocket with a test living space capsule on Wednesday, the Tasnim news agency reported, as the country pressed on with plans to send astronauts into space.
The announcement came 10 years after Iran announced it had sent two live monkeys into space and brought them back safely.
The 500-kilogram capsule, developed by the Aerospace Research Institute of Iran, affiliated to the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, was launched to an altitude of 130 kilometers from the Earth’s surface.
The launch is a step to send humans into space in line with the Iranian government’s plan to revive various sectors of the space industry and consolidate bio-space knowledge.
It was a test for space technologies in the areas of launch, recovery and speed control systems, as well as impact shields, capsule aerodynamic design, and the systems related to control and monitoring of biological conditions.
Salman launcher is manufactured by the Aerospace Industries Organization, a subsidiary of the Iranian defense ministry. It is capable of launching bio-capsules weighing 500 kilograms.
Spokesman for the Aerospace Research Institute said the 13th government of the Islamic Republic has practically revived the bio-space.
Hussein Dalirian said several bio-capsules systems were tested for the first time, and that the launcher, which was the first version, “performed very well” its the first launch.
He said Salman launcher achieved great success in its first try and carried the 500-kilogram capsule in very good condition.
“This capsule is the result of relying on domestic power and the efforts of space industry experts in the ministry of defense.”
Dalirian claimed the administration of President Ebrahim Raisi has “effectively revived” work on Iran’s longer-term goal of sending humans into space.
Critics of former President Hassan Rouhani maintain that his administration all but halted work on the Iranian space program in favor of engagement with the West that ultimately failed.
The latest came in September, when the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said it successfully put a third imaging satellite into an orbit 450km (280 miles) away. Several other satellite launches are expected in the coming months, per Iranian officials.
Despite sanctions imposed by Western countries in recent years, Iran has managed to take giant strides in its civilian space program.
Iran sent its first bio-capsule containing living creatures into space