Iran 'Sends Monkey Into Space'

January 28, 2013

Iran has reportedly sent a monkey into space.

A statement issued by the Iranian Defense Ministry's aerospace department on January 28 said that Iran had "successfully launched a capsule, code-named Pishgam ("Pioneer"), that contained a monkey."

The rocket reportedly reached a height of more than 120 kilometers.

The statement said the capsule "returned its shipment intact" but it did not elaborate on the condition of the monkey.

There was no independent confirmation of the report.

Tehran's previous attempt to send a monkey into space in 2011 was reported to have failed.

In the past, the United States has voiced "grave concern" about Iran's space program, saying the technology could easily be used to build long-range ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

Based on reporting by AFP, irna.ir, and Reuters

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/iran-sends-monkey-into-space/24885949.html

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