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Iran says rocket sends three 'research payloads' into space
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TEHRAN, 31 December 2021, (TON): Iran has used a satellite launch rocket to send three research devices into space, a defence ministry spokesman said, as indirect US-Iran talks take place in Austria to try to salvage a 2015 nuclear deal.
He did not clarify whether the devices had reached orbit.
Iran, which has one of the biggest missile programmes in the Middle East, has suffered several failed satellite launches in the past few years due to technical issues.
Spokesman Ahmad Hosseini said the Simorgh satellite carrier rocket, whose name translates as "Phoenix", had launched the three research devices at an altitude of 470 kilometres (290 miles). He did not give further details.
"The intended research objectives of this launch were achieved," Hosseini said, in comments broadcast on state television. "This was done as a preliminary launch ... God willing, we will have an operational launch soon."
Iranian state television showed footage of what it said was the firing of the launch vehicle.
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