Tehran: Iran has taken a step closer to sending humans into space by successfully launching a biological capsule based on animals. American media reported, citing Iranian state news agency Press TV, that Iranian authorities said the capsule was launched into space using the locally-made “Salman” rocket, with the purpose of testing its launching, recovery, and speed control system technologies, as well as the capsule’s heat shield, aerodynamic design, control system, and biological monitoring.
Iranian space agency spokesman Hussein Dalirian said the capsule is the result of the country’s reliance on domestic capabilities and the efforts of experts in the defense ministry’s aerospace industry. Hussein further said that the launch has marked a significant milestone in testing several bio-capsule systems, and the launcher’s first version also showed great performance.
The rocket was developed by Iran’s Ministry of Defense and the armed forces’ aerospace wing. According to the Iranian Space Agency, the 1,100-pound capsule is the heaviest biological capsule sent into orbit by Iran with success.