Iran Sets 10 Year Plan For Manned Space Mission
Posted on: Thursday, 21 August 2008, 13:20 CDT
Just days after Iran put a dummy satellite in orbit; state television reported on Thursday the Islamic Republic’s plans to send a manned rocket into space in the next 10 years.
The country announced on Sunday it had put a dummy satellite into orbit on a homegrown rocket for the first time.
Tehran's attempted satellite launch was a failure that fell short of claimed successes, according to U.S. security officials. However, an analyst said the test marked a technical advance for Iran.
Iran has stepped up its space ambitions in recent years, worrying world leaders already concerned about its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
Although Iran says it has no such intention, the long-range ballistic technology used to put satellites into space can also be used for launching weapons.
The country currently maintains that they have missiles with a range of 1,250 miles, giving them the ability to hit U.S. military bases in the Gulf or Israel.
Tehran adamantly denies Western accusations that it is seeking to build a nuclear warhead, insisting its nuclear ambitions are aimed at generating electricity so it can export more of its massive oil and gas reserves.
Reza Taghipour, the head of Iran's aerospace organization, said one of the aims of Iran's 10-year space program is to send a manned rocket into space.
"Within in the next six months to one year, the exact date of this mission will be determined," he added.
Iran will cooperate with Islamic countries in building a satellite that television said would be called, Besharat, meaning 'good news'.
He also said Iran was working with Russia and other Asian states to launch another satellite.
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Image Caption: File Photo of Iran's President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
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RELATED ARTICLE: Iran’s Dummy Satellite Clouded In Suspicion
Source: redOrbit staff
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