Iran has successfully launched an observation satellite into orbit, Iranian sources report.
The IRNA news agency quoted the head of the Iranian Space Organization, Hamid Fazeli, as saying the Navid (Herald) satellite was placed into an orbit between 250 and 370 kilometers above Earth.
Iran’s international broadcaster Press TV said the launch was conducted “following a decree by…President Mahmud Ahmadinejad,” who presided over a launch ceremony.
It touted the 50-kilogram satellite as being “completely designed and built by Iranian experts.”
Officials plan an 18-month mission, during which the satellite should send images back to Earth as it completes an orbit every 90 minutes or so.
Based on local and international agency reports
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