Iran Launches Monkey Into Space; Ambitious Aerospace Program Continues

Iran has officially sent a monkey into space, according to government officials on Monday. The launch is described as another step toward Tehran's goal of a manned space flight.

According to Iranian news agencies, the monkey was fitted with a small vest and then placed in a device similar to a child's car seat. The animal was then launched in a space capsule 72 miles above Earth. The monkey endured a sub-orbital flight before landing, alive and well.

Although Iran made a previous attempt at putting a monkey into space in 2011, the effort was unsuccessful. No official explanation was ever given for the failure, though.

Currently, Iran wants to put its own satellites into orbit to monitor natural disasters. This would have huge benefits for the earthquake-prone nation. It would also be able to improve telecommunications, and expand military surveillance in the region. Already, a satellite monitoring facility is located outside Mahdasht, about 40 miles west of the Iranian capital; and a satellite launch complex has been built near Semnan, about 125 miles east of Tehran.

However, other countries are worried that the long-range ballistic technology used to propel these satellites into orbit could be used to launch nuclear warheads.  Iran denies any suggestions of a militaristic intent, though. Instead, the country says that any nuclear activity is for peaceful energy only.

Iran has long said that it seeks to send an astronaut into space. This newest success is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the country's ambitious aerospace program, which includes plans to build a new space center. In 2010, Iran successfully launched an Explorer rocket into space carrying a mouse, turtle and worms.