Sanction-hit Iran achieved a significant milestone in its space ambitions on Wednesday, December 6, by successfully launching a prototype of a 'bio-space capsule'.
The Iranian-made Salman rocket carried a 500kg capsule containing animals, said to be the heaviest in the country's space history, to an orbit of 130km, reported by Tasnim News Agency.
"In line with the implementation of the ten-year document of the country's space industry, the 'Life in Space' program has been revived," said Iranian Communication Minister Eisa Zarepour.
پرتاب کپسول زیستی از زاویهای جدید ✌🇮🇷 pic.twitter.com/xskDJ3sLtL
With only Russia, the United States, and China possessing independent human spaceflight capabilities, Iran aims to join this exclusive club. India's Gaganyaan project stands as a serious contender in this pursuit.
I’ve spent the last few days learning about the Orion capsule by training in the Orion mockup in NASA’s Space Vehicle Mockup Facility. pic.twitter.com/jahVeuzRZM
Iran sends up rocket with test living capsule https://t.co/D31buOR3Ub pic.twitter.com/tZ4B6GvlEb