Iran announced on Wednesday that it has launched an animal capsule into orbit and is preparing missions with humans to take place in the coming years.
The announcement was made by Telecommunications Minister Isa Zarepour, quoted in a report by the official news agency IRNA.
The government official said the capsule was launched into orbit at a distance of 80 miles (130 kilometers).
Zarepour said the launch of the 500-kilogram capsule aims to send Iranian astronauts into space in the coming years.
The type of animals in the capsule has not been disclosed, writes the AP news agency.
Occasionally, Iranian authorities announce successful launches of satellites and other spacecraft.
In September, Iran said it had sent a data-gathering satellite into space.
In 2013, it was reported that a capsule was launched, carrying a monkey, which brought it back to Earth “properly”.
Source: DN
