Live transmission from the Kavoshgar 3 launch
Kavoshgar 3 being transported to launch pad
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that the launch of a live organism (according to the Iranian Aerospace Organization, they included a rat, two turtles, and some worms) into space today, as part of the test of the Kavoshgar 3 satellite launcher, is a prelude to the launch of Iranian astronauts into space, and added that the skies can be conquered by Iranian scientists.
The Kavoshgar 3 (Explorer) rocket, carrying an experimental capsule, transfers telemetric data, live pictures, and flight and environmental analysis data.
Ahmadinejad made the statements during a ceremony in which three new Iranian satellites and another satellite launcher were presented.
"With God's help, (Iranian) scientists will be sent into the space and they will observe the universe from there," the Iranian president said at a ceremony to unveil several national achievements, including in the field of aerospace.
Also today, Iranian Defense Minister Brig.-Gen. Ahmad Vahidi hailed the successful launch and insisted on the "peaceful" nature of Iran's space program.
Sources: Al-'Aalam, Fars, Press TV, IRNA, Iran, February 3, 2010
