Iran places Pioneer Explorer Satellite into space

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Jan 28, IRNA -- Iran launched Pioneer Explorer Satellite and placed it into space, taking a giant stride in the field of space bio-research, Public Relations Department at Iran Aerospace Organization said on Monday.

The Explorer Satellite was launched concurrent with the auspicious birth anniversary of Holy Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

The explorer was put in the orbit as per schedule and altitude.

The Islamic Republic of Iran has sent a monkey into space aboard an indigenous bio-capsule as a prelude to sending humans into space.

Iran launched its first indigenous satellite, Omid (Hope), in 2009. The country also sent its first bio-capsule containing living creatures into the space in February 2010, using the indigenous Kavoshgar-3 (Explorer-3) carrier.

In June 2011, Iran put the 15.3-kilogram Rasad (Observation) orbiter in space. Rasad's mission was to take images of the Earth and transmit them along with telemetry information to the ground stations.

Iran launched Navid-e Elm-o Sanat (Harbinger of Science and Industry), another indigenous satellite, into the orbit on February 3, 2012.

The satellite was a telecom, measurement and scientific one, whose records were reportedly used in a wide range of fields.

Iran is one of the 24 founding members of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, which was set up in 1959.

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Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 1055739