Iran to launch new generation of satellites

Indianapolis Post (IANS) Monday 6th February, 2012

Iran is planning to send a new generation of satellites into orbit to mark the 33rd anniversary of the Islamic republic's establishment, Defence Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi has said.

On Friday, Iran announced that it successfully launched an observation satellite into orbit, reported Xinhua.

The spacecraft, named Navid (Herald) and weighing 50 kg, can take pictures at altitudes of about 250 km to 375 km from the earth.

The launch of Navid satellite using Safir satellite carrier was not simply an aerospace operation, but stood for creativity, self-reliance and wisdom of Iran's aerospace engineers, Press TV quoted Vahidi as saying Sunday.

Tehran plans to launch the country's first manned mission into space by 2019, the media report said.