Iran to have man in space within a decade

OUTER SPACE: Iran plans to send a man into orbit with in the next decade. (Getty Images)

Iran plans to send a manned rocket into space in the next 10 years, state television said on Thursday, just days after the Islamic Republic announced it had put a dummy satellite into orbit.

Embroiled in a standoff with the West over its nuclear ambitions, Iran said on Sunday it had put a dummy satellite into orbit on a home-grown rocket for the first time.

US security officials said Tehran's attempted satellite launch was a failure that fell short of claimed successes, but an analyst said the test marked a technical advance for Iran.

The long-range ballistic technology used to put satellites into space can also be used for launching weapons. Iran says it has no such intention.

The West accuses Iran of seeking to build a nuclear warhead, a charge Tehran denies, insisting its nuclear ambitions are aimed at generating electricity so it that it can export more of its massive oil and gas reserves.

"One of the aims of Iran's 10-year space programme is to send a manned rocket into space," state television quoted Reza Taghipour, the head of Iran's aerospace organisation, as saying.

"Within in the next six months to one year, the exact date of this mission will be determined," he added.

Taghipour said Iran would 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.

US officials said the vehicle which Iran said on Sunday had delivered a dummy satellite into space failed shortly after lift off and did not reach its intended position.

But Charles Vick, a senior analyst for GlobalSecurity.org research group, said Iran appeared to have succeeded in igniting the second stage of its booster rocket and gained data that will help it perfect its launch system. (Reuters)

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READERS' COMMENTS

is USA policeman of the world?
Posted by MOHAMMED KALEEMULLAH, DUBAI, U.A.E. on Saturday 23 August 2008 at 19:41 UAE time

I wonder why some people are adverse and allergic to Muslim countries developing in Technology? If left alone and not under staring, stubborn eyes of the developed world, they have the capacity and means to do it, provided they come out of shadow of their western backers and invested or rather infected interests. Maturity comes with experience which comes out of action. Thinking is the first step towards action. At least think of it and dream for it, and the next generation may taste success. Almost all Muslim countries are undermining their resources and power and having inferiority complex which they have to overcome soon. Remember the Holy book Quran is the mother of all sciences. It is a book of signs and accurate data and predictions, which scientists have been availing from 1400 years and during this time only science has developed more than any other time or rather all the time. Dig into it and you will find the truth.

God Speed to Iran
Posted by John Doe on Friday 22 August 2008 at 13:15 UAE time


A first for the Muslim World, USA keep your eyes peeled open!

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