Iran says it has tested a space capsule to carry astronauts. It was shot at an altitude of 130 kilometers. Western states fear that Tehran’s space technology will serve military purposes.
The state news agency Irna reports, citing Telecommunications Minister Issa Sarepur, that Iran has tested a space capsule with which astronauts will one day fly into space. The capsule, which weighs 500 kilograms, was brought to an altitude of 130 kilometers by a rocket.
The new Salman-type space rocket was developed for a manned space mission. It is still unclear whether there were live animals on board the space capsule. In 2013, Iran said it had brought turtles, rats and worms into space in a capsule.
Western states worried about Iran Space program
Tehran emphasizes that space technology is used for civilian purposes. The USA and other Western countries, however, are following the Iranian space program with great skepticism. They fear that Tehran could also use the launch vehicle technology for ballistic or even nuclear-capable missiles.
After several unsuccessful attempts, Iran announced in April 2020 that it had successfully placed a military satellite into orbit around the Earth for the first time. Last September, the Islamic Republic said it also sent a military satellite into space for Earth observation.