Iran's Aerospace Research Center official announced on Tuesday that the country will launch its research rocket called Kavoshgar (Explorer) into space by the end of March 2010, the semi-official Fars news agency reported."Iranian Kavoshgar rocket will be sent into the space by the end of the current (Iranian) year (ending on March 20) to do research studies," Head of Iran's Aerospace Research Center Mohammad Ebrahimi was quoted as saying.
Talking at a ceremony marking the World Space Week, Ebrahimi said that "The rocket can be sent to altitudes at the height of 50km to 150km which is not a fly zone for aircraft and satellites ... it can be employed in different researches and studies."
Earlier in February, Tehran announced that the Omid lightweight telecommunications satellite, its first home-made satellite, was successfully sent into space by the Iranian-produced satellite carrier Safir 2, evoking the West's concern over its potential military purposes.
In last November, Iran launched successfully a space rocket which was called "Kavosh 2" (Explore 2).
"The rocket was launched into the space and after completing its mission returned to the earth using parachute," Iran's state TV IRIB said.
Iranian officials have said Iran has plans to put a "series of satellites" into space by 2010 to aid natural disaster management programs and improve telecommunications.
The United States and Israel have consistently refused to rule out the possibility of military strikes against Iran over its refusal to halt nuclear program, accusing Tehran of trying to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of a civilian nuclear program.
Iran has denied the charges and insisted that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.
